I know I seem to keep writing about Moses and Israel, particularly when they were on their journey to the promised land. I guess I can say I’m on a similar journey and find myself with some of the issues the Israelites faced. Again, not so extreme, but mainly in the remembering, forgetting and trusting department.
Throughout my devotions I keep being reminded of this particular part of the bible, even when my devotion seemingly has nothing to do with this story. As you may have read before, I know I was supposed to read the story of Moses. Sometimes I forget, or I thought I went to church and got all the lessons I was supposed to get a few weeks ago. It finally lit a fire under me to get the work started – because the blog was started within a few days of that sermon. But again, I’m being reminded that I haven’t gotten the lessons I need to from that chapter of the bible. So, I’m being sent back to read it for myself. There is but so much that one can get from hearing a sermon for an hour, where other messages are mixed in, as opposed to being in study for yourself. So this morning, not for the first or second time, I’ve found myself in Exodus, continuing to read where I left off weeks ago.
The thing that really stands out is how quickly the Israelites forgot what God had done for them. I’ve only gotten to verse 17, where God provided water from a rock, and defeated the Amalekites when Moses held the staff heavenward, to the point where Aaron and Hur had to hold up his hands when they became tired so the battle could be won. It seemed as every few days (probably not even that long), they started to grumble to Moses and God about what they were missing by being in the dessert and not in Egypt. I think they may have forgotten how difficult their lives had been as slaves, but I guess it’s what they were used to and had become comfortable with. I guess I can relate to that. How many times do we (I) get antsy because of discomfort when we are coming from a place we know well, even though it may have been a bad place, while we are on our way to something better? We cannot see where the promised land is and how wonderful it can be. What we can see is our past, and sometimes we try to cling to it, well beyond the expiration date.
Lord, first of all, thank you for taking me from the place I used to be. Help me that as I am on this amazing faith journey that I do not lose sight of your grace and love. Help me to continue moving forward as you are guiding my every step. Help me not to forget where you have brought me from and where you are guiding me to.
