Wilderness Wanderings

 By Julie Mangrum

If you are familiar with the account of the children of Israel's wandering through the wilderness at all, and are like me, you can relate to their story. I find much of myself in their inconsistencies: praising God for saving them one minute (Ex. 15:1-21) then seemingly, immediately complaining/grumbling about their circumstances (Ex. 15:22-27, among MANY other accounts).

It's clear, if we really look at why God had them in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt, it was to grow them and teach them. God also explains in Deut. 8:1-6; 14-16 all of their wilderness experience was for their good. 

So we too are in our own "wilderness" in this Christian life. Their story is meant to parallel ours. We wander through this life in all its strange patterns that seem like we are just walking in circles going nowhere, experiencing all these ups and downs -- these trials.

But let us not forget what His Word says about our trials:

 

• James 1:2-4 NASB -- "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect (mature)and complete, lacking in nothing."

• Because- James 1:12 NASB -- "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

You see, there is an end to this wilderness training if we endure, grow, and learn in it.  We will receive the promised land -- our heavenly destination.

But I see another lesson in the wilderness wandering, and that is the sanctification of Moses and what He learned from it versus what the other children of Israel (mostly) did not learn. Moses, who in the beginning of his journey doubted (Ex. 3:11, 4:10, 13) came, through his experiences in the wilderness, to trust God's repeated phrase -- I will be with you (Ex. 3:12, 4:12, 15).

After the golden calf incident (see Exodus 32), God did not even want to be in the presence of these obstinate Israelites, so He tells Moses that His presence will not go with them (Ex. 33: 2-3, 5). And here we see the truest testament of Moses' growth and what God wants all of us to understand. Ex. 33:15 NASB -- "Then he said to Him, 'If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.' "

Moses understood that life cannot be abundant unless it is filled with the presence of, and relationship with, Almighty God! (John 10:10) 

Moses learned, as Abraham was told by God in Gen. 15:1 NIV -- "After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.' ”

Oh, LORD, I pray you teach us to learn that the greatest reward is having your presence with us -- now, in this life, and forevermore in that promised land!

Julie is a 30-something living in the Tennessee valley. She loves the Lord, her sweet husband and 3 dogs. She's passionate about disciplining women, good coffee, baking (and eating) gluten free foods :)