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Therefore I also said, “I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”

Judges 2:3

God gave the Israelites specific instructions: Drive the Canaanites out of every corner of the land,and obliterate any vestige of their abominable idol worship. Thisassignment was challenging! Their enemies had formidable chariots. TheCanaanites had seemingly impregnable fortresses that were dangerous and difficult to overcome. The Israelites failed to drive all theCanaanites from the land. Much about the Canaanite lifestyle andreligion appealed to the Israelites’ sinful nature. Rather than destroying them and their idolatry, Israel compromised. 

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As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever.

Psalm 41:12

Joseph was a righteous man who had cultivated a reputation for godliness in his community. Then wordspread across the community that Mary, the woman to whom he wasengaged, was expecting a child. There would be many who would assumethe worst of this apparently scandalous situation. Joseph probably experienced gossip from some, ostracism from others. Yet he was a man of integrity, aware that God knew the truth of his relationship with Mary. 

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And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Romans 6:18

Before you were a Christian you were a slave, in bondage to sin. Even when you did not want to sin,you were unable to do otherwise (Rom. 7:15–24). When God saved you, Hefreed you from sin, but you remained a slave. Now, rather than beingbound to sin, you are bound to righteousness. In every area of yourlife you are obligated to do what honors God. There are some whobelieve that when Christ sets them free, they are free to do whateverthey want. That is not so. The apostle Paul realized that when hebegan following Christ he became a “bondservant” of Christ, and hislife was no longer his own (Rom. 1:1). 

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And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them.

Matthew 5:1–2

Christ sees people far differently than we do. Throughout the Gospels we see a pattern in theway Jesus taught His disciples. Whenever He saw the multitudes, Jesuswould reveal to the disciples what was on His heart for the people.Jesus wanted His disciples to share His love for the people. Thedisciples did not always understand all He was telling them, but Heassured them that later the Holy Spirit would reveal the significanceof His words (John 14:25–26). 

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Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

When God places people in your life who are in need, He is aware of what they lack, and He knowsHe has given you the resources to meet those needs. You know God doesnothing by accident. When a need surfaces around you, immediately goto the Father and say, “You put me here for a reason. You knew thiswas going to happen. What did You intend to do through me that wouldhelp this person become closer to You?” Recognizing a need insomeone’s life can be one of the greatest invitations from God youwill ever experience. It’s easy to become frustrated by the problems of others. 

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