God promises freedom.
That is the heading over the passage of Scripture I have been pondering the last several days. And, though the children of Israel did not listen at first, they had to see that God was beginning to work on their behalf. Pharaoh and the Egyptians began to suffer all sorts of plagues and miseries. God was clearly up to something.
Then Moses comes to the people and tells them to remember this day. Why? I love this…Moses says, Today, you are leaving. Can you even imagine the excitement? Finally, they were leaving. The years of hard labor and seemingly endless torment were over. And, even better, Moses tells them about the land to which they are heading. Twice, he tells them..When the Lord brings you into the land. And then, just to be clear, he adds, the land He swore He would give you…the land flowing with milk and honey.
Just imagine.
Happy days are here again.
They are on their way to the Promised Land with visions of milk and honey dancing in their heads. There is giddiness and dreaming and relief.
They follow their deliverer all the way to the…wilderness.
So He led the people along the road of the wilderness. – Exodus 13:18 HCSB
They camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. – Exodus 13:20 HCSB
Have you ever thought you were on your way to freedom…to the Promised Land and, instead, found yourself staring at the wilderness? Good times, right?
Though disappointing and confusing – God is in the wilderness. We have to trust Him, follow Him and allow Him to minister to us while we are there.
Therefore, behold, I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness, and I will speak tenderly and to her heart. – Hosea 2:14 Amplified Bible
I’m determined to move beyond disappointment and confusion. I want to follow my deliverer right into the wilderness and allow Him to speak tenderly to my heart.
It is so hard to move past the hurts and disappointments in life. I agree that God is waiting for us in the wilderness. I also believe that while we are in the wilderness we need to be patient and wait expectently for God to do something amazing while we’re there. He’ll provide manna and water. We just need to allow God to provide it. I will be the first to admit that I am impatient. It’s hard to wait for God to provide relief. But the Bible shows that he does offer provision and guidance while we are going through difficulties.
This reminds me of the Third Day song “Tunnel”. The chorus says, “There is a light at the end of this tunnel.” I like using that visualization when I’m going through a difficult period in my life.
I’m praying for you friend!