Daily Reading: Exodus 16
Scripture Focus: All the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness... And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled... (Exodus 16.1-2)
Devotional Thought: Have you ever been in a wilderness? Geographically, it is a wild place - uninhabited and untamed. I've never really been in a wilderness like that. There is, however, a spiritual wilderness, a frightening place - unknown and uncomfortable. I have been there. It is a place between certainties. Jesus went into the wilderness when he began his ministry. For him it was a place of triumph, but only after dark temptation.
The children of Israel had their own wilderness. They had told Pharaoh that's where they needed to go to worship God. But, when they "came to the wilderness... the whole congregation grumbled." This wilderness was between Elim - their first stop after deliverance - and Sinai - the place where they would learn how to live holy lives, pleasing to God. They grumbled because they were hungry and they didn't trust God or Moses to provide for them. In spite of their doubts, God fed them with manna and quail.
At times, we are between certainties. We face temptations. We've been delivered, but do not know exactly how to live to please God. In short, we are in the wilderness. The wilderness can be an overwhelming place. If we are not careful, we can begin to doubt God and even to regret his deliverance. "I was better off before I was saved!"
What advice would I give you if you are in the wilderness, when you are between certainties? First of all, resist that grumbling spirit. Second, follow God's instructions even when they don't make sense to you. And finally, keep moving. Don't camp there! Certainty awaits you. God is faithful.
Prayer: Lord, there are times when I struggle to see you, to understand your will. Help me, O Lord, to not give up. Help me to keep moving through the wilderness. Thank you, Jesus, that you have prayed for me that my faith would not fail. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, 3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, "Who can see them?" 6 They search out injustice, saying, "We have accomplished a diligent search." For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep! 7 But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. 8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. 9 Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. 10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult! (Psalms 64:1-10)
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