Lessons from the wilderness

The Lord did many things for the Jews while they lived in the wilderness, but Exodus 19:4 sums up three of the ways He cared for them.

He cares for us still in these same ways.

1.  He deals with our enemies.  He destroyed Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea.  You don't want to mess with God's people!

2.  He bears us on eagles' wings.  He lifts us up and carries us.  He helps us soar, even during our problems.

3.  He brings us to Himself.  This is His goal all along!  To bring us into intimate relationship with Himself.

The Lord also provided daily bread in the wilderness - not too much, not too little - just the right amount.  But if the people hoarded His provision out of fear, greed, or doubt, the bread become full of worms and moldy.

When, however, they saved two days' worth (in obedience to God this time) of manna so they wouldn't have to gather on the Sabbath, but instead rest, then the manna remained fresh and edible.  

So many lessons here in there few verses! (Exodus 16: 20 and 24)

When we hoard out of greed, fear, or doubt - and in disobedience! - it turns to ashes or grows moldy. 

But when we obey the Lord's way of saving, we benefit and it remains fresh and useful.

How do we know when we are in the "wilderness" in our spiritual walk?

It is a time of testing.  God tests our faith.  Will we trust Him and obey Him when things are not going our way?  Will we be content with daily provision?

The Jews ate manna for 40 years!  Quail, too.  Bread and meat.  So they did not starve, but they didn't exactly have a menu to choose from!

For me, this means that if God provides the same way year in and year out, we are to still be grateful, see His Hand of provision in it, and know that it is for our best in every way.

Are we always wanting more?  More food, more money, more, more, more?  This is not of God.  

Contentment and gratitude are very powerful, both in us and for those around us who observe our contentment.

As a culture bombarded with ads that tell us what we supposedly "need" to be happier and more fulfilled, we need to remember that God provides what we actually need for life.

Another nugget from the book of Exodus:  when we grumble and complain, we are really grumbling against God.  The Jews grumbled to Moses, but Moses set them straight by letting them know that they were not grumbling against him, but God. (Exodus 16:8)

How is this?  I mean we can find fault with others and how miserable they can make our lives at times.  It is very easy to pass blame and point the finger.  "It's his fault!"  "It's their fault!"

But when we do this, we are really blaming God.  How?  Because God is Sovereign.  He is allowing these difficult people and situations in our lives for His purposes.  Not to torture us!  Never!

He wants to build our faith and strengthen us through the tough times.  Will we continue to trust and serve Him?

So when we grumble and complain about/against anyone or anything, it is like we are saying, "God, I don't trust You!"  "Why are you allowing this?"  Because He is God, He could stop anything or anyone "bad" in our lives, right?  Yes, actually He could!  

So we need to stop complaining at all!  We look up to God and not at the people/situations causing us strife and heartache.  Is this easy?  No!  But it is simple.  It is simpler (not complicated) to turn our gaze elsewhere than to keep focusing on the problems, dissecting every little one, and in the process, losing hope.

How to simplify?  Believe with all our hearts that God is Sovereign, knows exactly what He is doing, is totally trustworthy, and will deliver and provide at just the right time (no matter how long our "40 years" may take!).

Lord, it is hard to see You through my tears sometimes.  The pain caused by this person or situation can seem unbearable.  I ask You why You are letting it go on and on.  Instead, I need to trust You at all times and believe that You are working everything out for my good and benefit, even if You take longer than I like.  Help me trust You more and more, Lord.  Help me give thanks no matter what.  Help me choose to focus on You more and more instead of all that concerns me.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.