Trust and Follow

As life continually shifts and changes, and life chapters end while new ones begin, we often need reassurance of all that God has done in our life, and the promise of all He will do. 

When I used to read scripture about the Israelites in the wilderness, I was frustrated with their lack of faith, impatience, and forgetfulness towards God's provision. What more could God have done to prove to the Israelites that He was for them, and not against them? That He had a plan for them as His chosen people. That He would always provide, and always protect them. All they had to do was trust and follow, and God would have lead them right into the Promised Land. Instead, they aimlessly wandered for 40 years; bowing down to man made gods, complaining about the food (that was falling from the sky for them!) and daydreaming about the good old days when they were slaves in Egypt. Then I grew up and realized:

I am an Israelite. 

God so clearly moves, then I doubt His hand is in it. He provided yesterday, yet today I'm afraid He won't. I ask for His rescue, then complain about where I end up. He asks me to be patient, and days later I cry out that He's forgotten me.

God may not be speaking to us through fire, parting seas so we can walk across or dropping meals to us from Heaven. But He clearly leads, and gladly takes full control of our lives when we let Him. He speaks to us in that still small voice, and will rescue us from bondage when we cry out to Him. 

You were shown these things so that you might know 

that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other. 

- Deuteronomy 4:35

For all of us walking through the wilderness, may we not be aimless. The Promised Land is just ahead. God will let His people wander for as long as it takes. I for one don't want to be stuck here for the next 40 years! As we look back on the journey God has lead us on so far, we are reminded that He is for us, and not against us. He has a plan for His chosen people. He will always provide, and always protect. 

All we have to do is trust, and follow. 

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God 

in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. 

Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, 

so that it may go well with you and your children after you 

and that you may live long in the land the Lord 

your God gives you for all time. 

- Deuteronomy 4:39-40

Points to Ponder:

1. All of us are walking through a wilderness. Are you personally allowing God to navigate, or are you aimlessly wandering?

2. What challenges are you currently facing that make you doubt God's hand in your life? Is it possible your attitude is prolonging your stay in the wilderness?

3. Do you still trust that God has a Promise Land in store for you?