As we journey through our life on earth, we find ourselves often in the wilderness. That place where the complexities of life don’t make sense. The center between where we were and where we are going. There, our hearts yearn for more. Desiring love to battle against loneliness. Fighting the darkness within our minds. Reaching out, we grasp hold of what we might think brings happiness, only to discover a different pain as we lose ourselves into the unknown. Reasoning and rationality fall apart. The wilderness looms around us as we have no idea what is the next step we are to take. The familiar past is gone, and we need direction. As our heart aches and fear enters, we tremble with anticipation but of what? So, here we begin, as an entire nation in the book of Numbers learns lessons from God in the wilderness.
Led by Moses, the children of Israel left Egypt where they had resided for 400 years. What a spectacular Exodus it had been! They were headed to the Promised Land. Along the way, the people grew restless and murmured against God. How quickly they forgot what God had done. Yet, God provided all they needed. When they came to Mount Sinai, Moses went up to the mountain top to meet with God. There he received the covenant of God including the Ten Commandments and rules on how to live both as a family and a society. The people saw God’s presence on the mountain as a cloud filled with thundering and lightening. When Moses returned, they accept God’s covenant, promising to love God with all their heart, mind and strength. Never to put another God before Him. Joyous for God’s presence they were happy.
In the Wilderness
Moses goes back up the mountain to meet with God. While Moses was there the people became restless, waiting below. Restlessness led to rebellion. Soon they wanted some shiny, golden object to worship rather than God. After all they could not fully see Him or always feel His presence. Despite all the miracles they witnessed, peace became a distant illusion as they turned restlessly in search of joy away from God. They hardened their heart and listened to Satan’s lies, questioning all that God had said or promised. Even though he provided their every need with manna from heaven, they wanted more and set out to get it their way. God’s presence so close; yet, for that moment so far away because they broke their covenant with Him. He had not moved, they deceived by their own hearts had withdrawn from Him.
Moses intercedes in prayer for Israel and God forgives, although He punished those who instigated the rebellion. God revealed Himself, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished” (Exodus 34:6-7). Then God commands Moses to build the tabernacle that God might dwell with the people, His presence ever near. But that is not the end of the story, for the people had many more lessons to learn along their journey. Just as we do. Hence, we will move forward into the book of Numbers. Yet, the next book of the Bible is Leviticus where God provides a sacrificial system to provide a means of salvation for His people. Hence, He pointed the way. God would send His Son to provide the final sacrifice for all who accept Him.
Lessons from God
- Everyone walking through a wilderness needs a prayer warrior interceding for them. Those of us who have journeyed through the wilderness need to be just that for others. And when the wilderness, surround us as well—stay in prayer knowing that Jesus Christ is our mediator always.
- God is merciful, gracious and ready to forgive.
- Justice is His name. Sometimes our wilderness draws us away and His loving hand draws us back. But there will always be consequences for our sin. God knows He cannot leave us there; because we will drown in our own brokenness.
- Don’t listen to Satan’s lies of counterfeit joys, they lead to destruction.
Yet, God never leaves or forsakes those who are His Children.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
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