A SEVERE MERCY

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However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor.
Joshua 16:10 ESV

¶We know very little about God's relationship with these Canaanite people of the land, but we do know from Scripture the nature of God's relationship with Israel. It can only be described as strict. The consequences of unbelief and disobedience were harsh, and often dealt out by those from surrounding nations whom God raised up as enemies. The world in general is a harsh and unforgiving place, but the good news is that, through it all, whatever the difficulty, and unto the death, God never leaves us or forsakes us. Can we bring His abiding presence into the haunted and hurting places of our world?

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