Little by little

The book of Deuteronomy is written as a speech by Moses, delivered shortly before he dies and the Israelites cross over the Jordan and begin to conquer the Promised Land. Moses reminds the people of their journey to this point and recaps the Ten Commandments and the other laws that God has given them. In chapter 7 Moses gives instructions for the conquest of the land. Unsurprisingly, given the fact that last time the people were at this stage they were too afraid, Moses gives lots of encouragement. He reminds the people that God has chosen them and that God has done amazing things for them already. He promises a life of fertility and riches.

It's made very clear to the Israelites though that there are to be no half measures. They are to completely drive out the people who are in the land; they are not to intermarry with them. Otherwise, says God, the people will be tempted to begin worshipping other gods. The promise of a land for God's people will be watered down and they'll become just another nation living among many and indistinguishable from them. This dishonours God: He has chosen this people and if they don't remember that they're different then they're ignoring His choice.

Many Christians use this model in their own lives. They set a boundary, a line that divides their ideas and behaviour from the thoughts and behaviour of the world. Depending on how they or their church or denomination interpret what the Bible says, this dividing line makes them more or less different from the world. Many Christians also use this approach when they are aware of areas of sin in their own lives; they want to change some aspect of themselves and decide that there must be no compromise with their old life. They must change completely. This is the point where it's useful to remember verse 22.

Verse 22 follows on from God's assurance that He will help the Israelites drive out the other peoples, no matter how many there are of them or how strong they seem. "You will definitely conquer the land" He reassures His people. But - and this is important - it will be little by little. Why? Because if the other peoples were driven out all at once, then wild animals would take over instead. There aren't enough of the Israelites to populate the whole land yet. If towns are left unoccupied and fields unattended, then lions and bears will move in.

I'm sure that God says the same to me when I am trying to reclaim parts of my life from sin. "Great," He says, "that's exactly my plan.  I want to be in charge of everything in your life. I don't want you to compromise with sin. And My power will be there to help you. But don't try and do everything on day one, because that's just not going to work."

How often am I tempted into disillusionment or despair because I haven't rooted out all the sin from my life? I want to, and I feel like I should - or more accurately, I feel like I already should have done it. I need to remember God's words to His people: little by little. Not compromising, not giving up, not thinking that the bare minimum is good enough, but not trying to change my whole life all in one go. God will be there to help again tomorrow and the next day and the next, as I continue to change - little by little.