The sermon was on this text - the significant aspect is that the historical rebuke for this very thing came first to Israel. They had been given a God appointed leader in Moses, were led out of Egypt, had all their substances provided for, and looked forward to the promise of the land which they were journeying to. BUT instead of seeing God's provision and hand in their lives, they complained about their leader, their food, and why they had to be in a no-mans land. They would rather be slaves in Egypt! We think this is ridiculous that a people could be so ungrateful. Yet, we are in our wilderness until the day Christ returns. He is our God appointed leader, He provides our every need, and He has set us free from the bondage of sin. Hahah - you would that would be enough for us.
No, we complain that we don't have enough money, that our homes are not up to standard, that we are barren, that we have allergies or illness, that the pains in our bodies make it difficult to live for Christ, that the trials of this life are too difficult. Just as Israel refused to be united with Moses in purpose and self sacrifice, we too, refuse to be united to Jesus in the same. We truly do live in a "crooked and perverse generation". As believers, we can all look back to the grace that He has given us - and that should push us on towards our goal. That same saving grace is the sustaining grace that we have now in Christ. From saving grace to sustaining grace.
This week I will endeavor to be intentional in my "grace recollections", knowing that the same grace that saved me will also sustain me, and lead me into the heavenly of heavens.
Does this mean that our ailments are nullified? No - we are to share one anothers burdens. Our attitude is what makes it complaint or concern.
In my life time, I have had my share of "undesirable journeys". I was nearly disowned by my dad for being a Christian, I was falsely accused by the head of a mission where I taught music, I had 3 miscarriages, I held a newborn dead baby in my arms, I almost lost every pregnancy that DID make it to term, I spent a total of 2 1/2 years in bed in those pregnancies, I had an adopted child leave our family after ten years saying she did want us to be her family, I have severe degenerative disc disease, I have no cartilage in my left thumb joint, but the WORSE is that I have very fine and thin hair!
My mom is such an example of how we are to live. She struggles with every single thing in her day- even sleeping is a struggle! Does she complain and grumble? No - she keeps on keeping on, knowing that God has His purpose for every thing in her life. I pray that I will be half the woman she is (actually I would like to be all the woman she is, but even if I was only half, I would be far from where I am) She is such a blessing to me!
We all have our wilderness stories - but as believers OUR stories differ from those of the world. OUR stories have a purpose and a goal - to honor and glorify God! May we always praise Him in our wilderness. I think it kind of funny how people pay money to go on "wilderness excursions" when we ARE on them! Hey - if anyone wants to pay me for one, I can take you on a ride you won't forget - it is called LIFE. We can either go through it or cop out of it. We can pretend we are someone else, or we can be who we are in Christ.
This is an example of being someone other than we are:
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