So often, we look to God and want the answers now. We seem to want to believe that our promised land is here on this earth; yet, our promised land is not complete until we are standing face to face with God. Our hope then lies within the promises of God. This journey will be laden with difficulties by the sheer nature that we have not yet reached our final destination. Yet, even within the desert times of our lives; He is our provider and our guide.
Our hearts are tested in many ways that we might be humbled; knowing that our sustenance comes from God alone and that our Joy is based on our relationship with Him–not on all the counterfeit joys that we pursue. Our hearts are proven as to whether we are truly seeking Him while walking through the desert days of our lives. Do I trust Him? That is the question that must be answered. Am I seeking only the gifts or am I seeking the giver? Another question that can only be answered during the valley days. The Nation of Israel had come to the promised land; yet, their lack of faith which created fear had caused them to once more be left to wander in the wilderness for another forty years until the generation who had murmured and feared were all buried and the new generation had grown up to trust in God’s Providence and God’s promises. Now they stood on the brink of entering their promised land and Moses stood to warn them.
Deuteronomy 8: 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live…..
10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, ….
16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
What if our whole life is a desert, would I trust Him? Am I seeking the gift or the giver? He who gave everything at the cross so that I might have a relationship with Him; why would I not see that relationship as the most valuable treasure? Why would I not hold His love letters tight to my chest, cherishing them and longing to read them over and over? What could be so important that I would not run to Him, just to sit at His feet a little while? God knows what is best for me and what is needed so that I might gain the greatest Joy, which is only found in Him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzcmM-JpN5c