SCRIPTURE - Numbers 33:50-53, 55-56
50 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, 51 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. 53 Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess....
55 “‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. 56 And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’”
OBSERVATION
God was very clear to Israel about his expectations to get rid of anything that could destroy them in the future. They had to drive out the people that wouldn't submit to Israel's way of life and get rid of any kind of idolatry paraphernalia. God also warned them about allowing the enemy to live among them. No concessions nor compromises were allowed. Failure to follow God's expectations would result in Israel's punishment, not because of their own fault, because to their proximity to the enemy. When the blow, sharpnel will wound those around them.
APPLICATION
When we are set free from our past and delivered to a new life we must be aware that there are still traces of the past ready to stay around. We are forgiven from our past sins, but the flesh has a way to go back to what it's familiar. We cannot be gentle when dealing with our sins. We must be radical and determined to get rid of whatever causes us to go back to our old nature. Otherwise, it will bring us down form where God wants us to be.
I am aware of some "traces"of my old selfish nature that have a way to cripple in here and there. Very often I'm quick to get rid of them, but sometimes I ignore them and allow them to be comfortable in my heart. When I allow the old trace of sin to take root again in my heart, it always brings a fruit of pain and shame. It will take over my heart, rule again over me, and will possess what God has call me to possess. God doesn't want me to be mastered by anything. I need to keep my life without a trace of the old. I need to be courageous and deal with it head on.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please forgive me for allowing the old nature to take root again and to make it feel comfortable and unchallenged in my life. Give me a passion to live without a trace of the old decaying and sinful nature. You have done it all for me to be free. Now I need to do my part and walk in the freedom you provide at the cross. In Jesus name, Amen.
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