Ten lessons learned in the wilderness

God brought His people out of Egypt where they were in slavery.  However, they did not go straightaway into the Promised Land.  

God led them instead into the wilderness.  It took the Israelites forty years to make it to the edge of the Promised Land.  And even then, most did not enter in out of fear.  Joshua and Caleb scouted out the Promised Land for all of the Jews.  They reported back a land flowing with milk and honey.

But they also told them about the giants that lived there.

Like the Jews, we can either focus on all of the good that awaits us in God's Promised Land for us (milk and honey), or we can focus on the giants (the "giants" of challenges, spiritual warfare, temptations, and trials).  Will we enter excitedly knowing that God goes before us and is with us?  Or will we shrink back in fear and stay in our "comfort zones," even when we know that that season has ended for us?  

God used the wilderness time to teach His people.  Would they remember all God had taught them?  Or would they choose fear over faith?

What exactly did God teach the Jews in the wilderness?  God taught them how to live as His people before He showed them the Promised Land.

Here are ten lessons I gleaned that God taught His people in the wilderness:

1. How to depend on God daily.
2. To be content with a day's supply of food, shelter, and clothing (no hoarding allowed).
3. He was with them always.
4. He guided them constantly; during the day, by clouds; and during the night by a pillar of fire.
5. Trust Him.
6. Obey and follow Him.
7. Do NOT complain!
8. Trust in His plan, that He did have a future for them in the Promised Land.
9. To not look back and pine over the past (which, by the way, was horrible!).
10. To not compare their present to their past.

Phew!  Talk about forty years chock a block full of deep, rich lessons they learned!

Do you recognize God's work in your own life in this list?  I sure do.  

Where are you currently?  Are you still in the wilderness?  If so, God wants to teach you so much during this time.

Are you on the edge of the Promised Land?  God may be showing you all that He has for you, and it looks wonderful!  But fear may be getting the better part of you.

Or maybe you are in God's Promised Land for your life.  If so, you will face down many giants there.  And even though it is a land of blessings, it will not be without its trials and tribulations there, too.

Takeaway?  Wherever we are on God's path for us, we will always need to trust Him.

Trust Him to provide for our daily needs.
Trust Him to lead and guide us.
Trust Him for better days ahead.
Trust Him to help us fight and win our battles against the "giants" in our lives.

Time and again, the Lord commands us to be strong and courageous.  Do not fear! He says over and over.

The beauty in this command (it's not a suggestion, but a command!) is that when God is on our side, there is no need to fear.  So God makes it easy for us, in that sense.  

Oh we will still feel fearful on occasion.  But we need not cave into it because our God is for us! 

So wherever God has you, I encourage you to stay the course and keep (or start?) trusting Him.  He is worthy of your trust no matter what.

Dear Lord.  You took care of Your people in the wilderness so beautifully and lovingly.  You had a plan for them and it was a good plan. However, some took their eyes off You and trusted in their own "wits" instead of staying focused on what You promised them.  The same holds true for us here and now.  We can focus on how You care of us, how You guide us, and how Your wonderful promises are for us.  Or we can choose to live in doubt and fear and stay stuck.  Please help us move forward in Your plan for our lives with courage and trust.  Because we love and trust You, Lord.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.