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Are You Prepared for a Wilderness Journey?
The book of Exodus provides us so many lessons for each day’s journey of our life. Such a lesson comes from the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Canaan. The trek was not smooth and easy. It was a challenging journey with ups and downs, which were not only physically difficult, but spiritually trying as well. The traveling all started the night after all the firstborn of Egypt, both human and animal, died. The cry of mourning was great and terrible and the cry of “…Go, serve Jehovah” may have been the loudest (Exodus 12.31-32).
At the end of Exodus 13, Israel was at the edge of entering the wilderness. Inside the wilderness were so many unknowns for a people who had never left Egypt and traveled anywhere. They had no idea what lay ahead. All they knew was they were headed to the promised land. Verses 17-22 may not seem to fit, but provide so much to this journey: (1) God was leading them “by the way of the wilderness” rather than “the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near” (vv. 17-18); (2) They were taking the bones of Joseph on this journey through the wilderness, which was his last request in Genesis 50.22-26.
The point to not in this wilderness journey is “God led them.”
God leading is the blessing regardless of what lies ahead in the journey. Gratitude for God’s leading is a treasure anyone should desire. It is not promising an easy and painless path. It is promising one thing everyone should desire - God is leading/guiding. This guidance is with authority and care. It is with love and commitment. It is with purpose and hope. It is never failing and certain. In his leading, God did not consult Moses or poll any of the Israelites to determine which direction is best. He decided!
Why not take the shortest distance between two points? God knew what his people would do if they were to be faced with war. They would want to go back to Egypt. The irony here is, this is what Israel wanted when traveling in the wilderness, a place with more trials than a one-time war. In most every case of difficulty, Israel thought about Egypt and wanted to go back. In every matter of danger, Israel cried to go back rather than die in the wilderness.
God knows our frame. He perfectly understands the degree of severity we can endure in every temptation. He orders our courses of life, and we will not be tempted above what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10.13). God will lead us through the difficult places in our lives as long as we hold to his unchanging hand. In our “wilderness" today, we should be subject to God’s leading in order to provide us with the character we need to face every battle, every temptation Satan places against us. Israel could not handle a battle against the Philistines immediately upon their exodus from Egypt. After a few months and years in the wilderness, they could. God knows where we can be after trials (1 Peter 1.6-8). Let him work his glory in you.
In v. 19, Moses took the bones of Joseph not only by the request of Joseph before his death. He showed the people of Israel that God keeps his promises. It was Joseph who told his brothers that God would rescues the people from Egyptian bondage (Genesis 50.24). Joseph knew that promise would be fulfilled, and Israel needed that reminder with every step through the wilderness. God always keeps his promises. Every time any of the people looked at those bones of Joseph, they were assured God was loyal to his word.
Maybe you feel like you are living in a wilderness. Your life is a struggle, stress, and strain. You are struggling with your family relationships. You are not sure if your faith can withstand troubles. There are uncertainties in how dependable you are. You are having financial difficulties. There is a temptation just beating up on you right now. You are in the wilderness, wishing there was a shortcut. You are uncertain about the future. Fear, concern, anxiety, and loneliness are going to bed with you every night and waking up with you every morning, ready to dictate your thoughts, direction, and behavior.
In view of the wilderness you face, remember the promises of God. Here are just a few:
“For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”
Isaiah 41.13
“Come unto me all you are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11.28
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.”
Romans 8.28
“God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10.13
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Hebrews 13.5
Now, are you ready for a wilderness journey?
