Deuteronomy 7:22-23 The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may not make an end of them at once, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you. But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed.
The Scripture says, “The LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little.” (Deuteronomy 7:22) This passage reminds us of the steady, patient progress by which God works to bring about victory for His people. In our spiritual walk and service, the triumph over evil is rarely instantaneous. Instead, it is a gradual process, requiring ongoing faith, perseverance, and unwavering commitment.
We are not to expect victory in the Lord Jesus by a single, decisive blow. The forces of evil—whether they be habits, societal wrongs, or personal vices—are deeply entrenched. They do not collapse at the first sign of resistance. In some places and hearts, it may take years of labor and prayer to root out even one vice that has taken hold. This reality calls for patient endurance and a willingness to fight on, even when outward results seem meager.
Our mission in this world is to conquer it for Jesus, not to settle for compromise or seek the approval of the world. We are called to wage an unceasing war against iniquity in all its forms: infidelity, false teachings, drunkenness, impurity, oppression, materialism, and error. There can be no half-measures or truces with evil—every area of darkness will be brought into the light of Christ.
Ultimately, it is the Lord our God who accomplishes this work. He chooses to act through His faithful servants, not for their glory but for His own. The promise is sure: “Jehovah thy God will put out those nations before thee.” Yet, He does so “by little and little,” teaching us valuable lessons in perseverance, deepening our faith, making us alert in prayer, and guarding us against complacency.
It is easy to become discouraged when progress seems slow, but every small victory is evidence of God’s faithfulness. We should thank Him for each step forward, no matter how modest, and continue to pray and labor for greater triumphs. Our journey is not completed until every stronghold is surrendered to Christ. We are not to rest or lay down our spiritual weapons until the whole land—every area of our lives and spheres of influence—is surrendered to Jesus.
Therefore, let courage fill our hearts. Let us move forward, little by little, keep our eyes on the ultimate goal, working diligently until every stronghold is conquered, knowing that many small advances will eventually result in a great and lasting victory. The Lord’s method is deliberate and wise, designed for our growth and His glory. Let us trust Him, persist in doing good, and look forward with hope to the fulfillment of all His promises. (Spurgeon)
