They couldn't store it up, they had to look for it daily. Over and over, God provided for their needs.Īnd just like the people of Israel had to look to God to meet their needs, to be refreshed by what he offered, and gather the manna every morning in the wilderness, so it is with us. Another time he made the bitter waters sweet again, so they could drink. They just had to pick up the manna, drink the water, accept the blessing. Every day a miracle was right before their eyes. “Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” Exodus 17:6 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you…” Exodus 16:4 He just tells us to be still, to stand strong, and to know he’s fighting on our behalf. He doesn’t send us out to fight the enemy in our own strength. We’re never left to wrestle through on our own in hard places. He reminds us from the very start of this desert journey, “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 It doesn’t mean we won’t ever face the battle, but we can know that He is sure with us right in the midst of it all. He will hem us in from all sides and keep us under His care. That’s how much He loves us and desires to set His protection over us. He Himself will fight for us and guard us. Still today, God will send his angels to fight for us and guard us. He said, ‘For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord…” Exodus 17:15-16 After a battle against the fierce Amalekites, when God gave his people a great victory, the Bible says, “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He gives us victory and power even when it doesn’t make sense. He works in miraculous ways and the toughest of battles are never too hard for God to work through. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them…” Exodus 14:19Įven when the Israelites faced cruel attacks from the enemies surrounding them, God was faithful to deliver them. “Then the angel of God…withdrew and went behind them. And though it may not have been what we would have chosen, or how we would accomplish things, we can thank Him for His Sovereignty, His care over us, and His powerful leadership. God had rescued his people and led them straight through the biggest obstacle they’d ever encountered, and that was just the beginning of his miracles.Įven if the way He’s leading doesn’t seem to make much sense and His timing seems off, or the wait feels long, and wandering in desert places is the last thing we want to do, we can trust Him. They lost the battle that day and were swallowed up in the waves. The enemy in hot pursuit had no idea what they were up against. He split the sea in two so that his people walked through on the dry ground. They forgot about the bigness of their God. An obstacle that seemed too difficult to overcome. “So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea…” Exodus 13:18Īs the Israelites got closer that sea must have looked bigger and deeper. Be assured again today that God is faithful and he will use all things to strengthen our faith and bring goodness to his people. We too often face these journeys as God leads us into our own “promised land.” Maybe you feel like the blessing is too long in coming, maybe you feel like giving up. But the way there would stretch their faith and lead them through journeys where they’d have to depend on God like nothing before. God had promised his people land that would be full of blessing, it was worth fighting for, it was worth going the distance. And that was just the beginning of their journey. We can almost hear the grumblings starting then. Hot, dry, barren wasteland, the sea looming off in the distance. So He led them around the desert road over towards the Red Sea. The Bible tells us in Exodus 13, that though the path was shorter right through the Philistine country, God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” Exodus 13:17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God didn’t lead them on the road that made the most sense.
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