I have been writing more on the Old Testament lately.  Of course it isn’t really “old” at all.  That is a designation added when Bible translators decided that perhaps there was time line involved between the writings of the Hebrew writers and the time of Jesus coming on the scene.  There was an Inter-Testament time also….so much happened then but that’s  for another writing.

As I was reading through Exodus I found myself relating to those thousands of Jewish immigrants who left their old life (terrible though it was) and entering a new phase of living.  They knew about the God of Abraham but not much else.  Some of the traditions had been passed down but now this same God was taking them to a new land.  They were in the desert……..the wilderness.  No food, except for their few animals which they needed for their  new life: no water except for this leader, Moses, who said God would provide; and what would they find when reaching this so-called Promised Land?

Now you and I are sometimes wandering in a wilderness.  Where are we going?  What’s lies ahead?  I only see dry, hot desert in front and an enemy behind.  Yet we have the promise of God.  He will provide.  We see the bread from Heaven coming to us just as he provided for them;  Water flows from the Rock;  Birds to roast on the fire. We have an abundant life but yet we face the dangers of the “wilderness.” Where is our Moses?

  Jesus didn’t say that our life as Christians would be easy.  In fact it is usually the opposite.  If God is there for us then why do we have these struggles in life? We expect the wilderness will vanish into the Promised Land without too many unnecessary problems.  Wish it was true.  God didn’t make it easy for those Jewish pilgrims and he doesn’t make it easy for us.  But then there is something else.  Its our faith and hope.  Just as for them.

  We as believers know there really is a Promised Land to those who believe in God’s Messiah.  We call him Jesus (Jeshua in Hebrew).  He becomes our Moses.  He is leading the way.  Its dark and we can’t see ahead but He knows.  He will provide.  Not always in the way we expect.  But look back.  See where He has taken you? Now look ahead.  Did he fail you before?

  As I write this and review my own life, I know that God was always there. He really was in control.  He was there all along.  He is there now, and will be there tomorrow.  The wilderness wanderings will indeed lead to the Promised Land.  Expect it!