In The Wilderness

In the book of Exodus, the famous story where God speaks to Moses and calls him to lead Israel out of Egypt, a life lived in captivity. God parts the Red Sea, provides water from a rock and manna from heaven. He protected them as they travelled, their clothes never wore out and they lacked nothing – but yet they still complained and wanted to go back to Egypt.

As I sit and read scripture, it’s easy to see how He’s taking them from being slaves and setting them free, all while they are complaining.

It’s easy for me to see all that is wrong here with the Israelites. After all, I know how the story goes. But then I remember all the times God has moved in my life and I didn’t see it. Or the times God has miraculously provided and I wasn’t grateful but I complained about my circumstances. It is then I see my own similarities to the Israelites.

In the wilderness, removed from familiarity, I believe God was saying, “I need to get Egypt out of you. I need you to have a new way of thinking and living. No longer as slaves but as My chosen people, entirely devoted and dependent on Me.”

Now, I would like to think that I have enjoyed my journey’s in the wilderness. That I don’t ever want to go back to the Egypt God brought me out of. A life, like the Israelites, that was full of harsh conditions, sorrow and a life of bondage. I would also like to believe the scripture “Who the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36) is one I live out daily- I try, but far too often I find myself trying to go back to Egypt and complaining about my circumstances and questioning, “God, why did you bring me out here?”

When I have found myself going back, back to the behaviors, places, doubt and other things He has freed me from, I realize somewhere in the wilderness I have stopped trusting, surrendering and worshipping God. I started to believe the lie, Egypt is better than the wilderness I’m in.

I imagine you have your own Egypt God has rescued you from. It may be you are finding yourself trying to go back instead of staying in the wilderness, all of a sudden it’s looking better back in Egypt.

I will tell you this, the wilderness isn’t forever. (Thank God!) Though it be uncomfortable, painful and often lonely, it can also be a place of renewal, surrender, refreshment. A place where we gain new strength, faith, vision and so much more.

During our time in the wilderness, the Father calls out, “My child, will you let go of those things that are keeping you in captivity? Will you once and for all leave Egypt and trust that I have better plans for you? Will you believe I will not harm you or lead you into danger? Grab my hand and let me lead you into everlasting life and reveal my unfailing love to you.”