Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

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 peo...

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.  ...