I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Joshua 16. “They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor” (Verse 10). Have you ever heard the saying, “A little leaven, leavens the whole loaf”? The meaning is self explanatory, but I shall explain it anyway. It means it just takes the smallest amount of compromise to turn your world upside down. God’s command to Israel, remove ALL remnants of the land, and in the beginning they did. They were fired up and ready to do it God’s way, but over time the fire cooled, and destroy became, “Maybe we don’t kill them, let’s just make them slaves. It’s the same thing, right?” No, it’s not. If we open the door to just an ounce of compromise then we might as well just fling it open all the way, because that ounce will multiple into gallons and  gallons till compromise is all we have and the original truth has disappeared. Don’t believe me? Take a look at Israel now (no this is not Israel bashing), and answer this question. If they had taken the time to destroy the enemy the way that God had commanded in the beginning, would they be surrounded by the enemy now? Now look at your own life (trust me I am looking at mine), remember that little compromise you opened the door to a while ago? Where are you now? Are you at the same place with God? Are you still living the ABSOLUTE truth? Compromise will allow the enemy to slowly build camp around you, and by the time you notice what’s going on you are already surrounded. The solution? When God says get rid of it, then, GET RID of it. Yeah, it really is that simply.