Get a Grip

I've scoffed at those Israelites a time or two. The group that was clearly picked for greater things, the Promised Land, and yet sat grumbling in the midst of the promise.

40 years is a long time to wait, but couldn't they see that God had divinely brought them out of slavery? Couldn't they get a grip on the miraculous plagues and the manna from heaven each day?

Nope.

Even Moses. And I really, really love that guy.

Moses, the great Old Testament leader of the Hebrews, was no different. He wanted God to show him a sign, too. On one occasion, Moses got alone with God, away from the rest of the Hebrews, to seek direction. He wanted another divine guidepost, an omen, a heavenly gesture. It's not that Moses had not had indicators along the journey. In fact, he witnessed some rather remarkable visual demonstrations. A burning bush. A staff that became a snake. Tree branches that cleaned up polluted water. Pillars of fire leading the crowd by night. Clouds leading them by day. Manna, the heavenly bread falling each morning. But now Moses wants further clarification. He prays, not unlike us, "Look, You have told me, 'Lead this people up,' but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. You said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.' Now, if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor in Your sight. Now, consider that this nation is Your people" (Ex. 33:12-13). 

Interestingly, God never wrote Moses a message in the sky. He never laid a blueprint down. In today's terms, he did not send a fax, an email or a letter. He did something better.

This was the better thing that God offered Moses. God promised Moses his presence. God replied to Moses' prayer - his request for a sign by saying, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Ex. 33:14). God personally and providentially led Moses and the nation of Israel. God offered something better than guidance; he promised to be their Guide. (Reference)

I reveled in this on our drive to a peach festival today. A nice long drive where God meets mom, wife, daughter, and friend...all in one sitting. It's almost expected to be in turmoil or distress when life hands you change. 

For goodness sake, there is a stress-test that you can take to determine how much you are enduring right now. The world expects you to fail miserably. 

But, in conclusion, I see that God never left those Israelites for one second during those 40 years. And Moses prayed the right prayers, but was looking for a different answer. God was his guide, even in the wilderness...waiting for the promise.

I've been waiting on a promise. You may be waiting on a promise too, maybe for days, or weeks, or years. Let's rest in knowing that God is here. In the now. In the middle of the wilderness and in the promise that awaits. 

Joy in the journey, rather that wishing it away.

Cheers to you! You're awesome.