Blessings in the Desert

 When God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, He didn’t take them straight to the Promised Land. They weren’t ready. So first He brought them through the wilderness to Mt. Sinai and gave them His laws. He charged them, saying, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:5-6).

There at Mt. Sinai, God and Israel entered into a covenant. The Israelites said, “All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient” (Ex. 24:7).

But Israel still wasn’t yet ready to enter the Promised Land. God knew His people needed more preparation, more instruction, and more testing to see if they truly would walk in His ways and obey His commandments. The journey to the Promised Land wasn’t over; it was just beginning. Though the Israelites’ subsequent rebellions would prolong the journey many years longer than originally intended, it was a journey they had to make even if they had remained faithful.

This is how it is with each one of us. God has redeemed us from bondage through the death of His Son Jesus Christ. If we’ve repented, been baptized, and received the Holy Spirit, then we’ve also entered into a covenant with Him. As God said to ancient Israel, so now His Word says to us, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (1 Pet. 2:9).

But when we repent, get baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit, our journey isn’t over; it’s just beginning. Though we’ve entered into a covenant with God and become citizens of His Kingdom, we haven’t entered that Kingdom yet. There’s much work to be done before we’re ready. “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest” (Heb. 4:11; KJV).

Israel’s journey through the wilderness corresponds to our lives now. We are in the wilderness, journeying toward the Promised Land, being prepared for the Kingdom of God. As such, there’s much for us to learn from our forefathers. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Cor. 10:11).

Like our forefathers, we have not reached our homeland yet. This earth is not our home, but “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — and all God’s faithful servants who came before us (1 Chron. 29:15) — we are sojourners here, “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13).

In the Wilderness

In Deut. 8:2-6, we find some specific reasons why God led the Israelites through the wilderness before bringing them to the Promised Land:

2 “And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

3 “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

4 “Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.

5 “You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.

6 “Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.

Again, a few verses later, Moses reminded the Israelites that the Almighty “led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end” (Deut. 8:15-16).

In short, God put the Israelites through hardship and trials to instruct them, to test them, and to prepare them for the blessings He held in store for them. But let us not forget that in the midst of every difficulty, God was right there with them, leading them by day as a pillar of cloud and by night as a pillar of fire (Ex. 13:21-22). Though He allowed them to endure hardship, He faithfully provided for all their needs.

So it is with you and me. Throughout this life, we will encounter uncertainty and hardship, but also blessings and provision from our Creator. There will be times we face agonizing choices, times when the future seems uncertain, and times when everything seems hopeless. There are also times when spiritual and physical blessings seem to pour on us from heaven.

And through it all, God is there. We may not see the pillar of fire and cloud, but He is there just the same. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5). Again, He tells us, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isa. 43:2).

Each trial and hardship exists to instruct us, to test us, and to prepare us for the Kingdom of God — the Promised Land that awaits us. As the apostle Paul reminded us, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). Again, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

For God’s called out ones, trials and hardships do not mean that He has forsaken you. They mean that He is working with you and preparing you for eternal life. The apostle James exhorted us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jam. 1:2-4). Again, the apostle Paul reminded us, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28; NASB).

Many have observed that they encountered a serious trial soon after baptism. This is no accident. Just as Israel entered the wilderness soon after crossing the Red Sea, a type of baptism (1 Cor. 10:2), so do we. As we find in the Book of Hebrews, “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated” (Heb. 10:32-33).

Lessons of the Wilderness

So what are some of the lessons God is teaching us during our journey through the wilderness?

The first is faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

In the midst of difficulty, we get to know our Creator in a more personal way than ever before. We begin to see His hand in our lives as never before. Whenever life seems uncertain or hopeless, He provides and we learn to see it. We get to know His goodness, faithfulness, and mercy, and we begin to trust in Him. We learn that He meant what He said: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

But “faith without works is dead” (Jam. 2:20, 26). And so we learn to obey our Creator no matter what the short-term consequences may be, and we discover that He really does work all things together for good to those who love Him. It is through practice that we build faith.

We learn to keep our focus on God and follow wherever He leads, to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Mat. 6:33). We build character not merely by obeying God when it’s easy, but even when it’s hard. Not merely when we understand why, but even when we don’t understand.

When we do what God says, whether we understand or not, we will eventually see why. When we endure whatever He tells us to endure, we will eventually see why. And we will see that everything He told us was for our own good (Deut. 10:13). Though we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” we need not fear (Psa. 23:4).

Yeshua/Jesus told us, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mat. 6:31-33). As long as we remain faithful to our Creator, He will provide for all our needs and far more!

Though God allowed the Israelites to hunger and thirst, it was never to the point of harm. As King David observed, “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Psa. 37:25).

Choosing to follow God may lead us through many trials and difficulties. Though these things are never pleasant, we ultimately learn to appreciate them. Looking back on them later, we realize that these very tribulations brought us closer to our Creator and we would never take them away! As we read in Heb. 12:11, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

All these things teach us a second lesson which cannot be separated from the first, and that is humility. As Moses reminded the Israelites, God led them through the wilderness, in part, to humble them (Deut. 8:2, 3).

So it is with us. We must learn to trust in God and not ourselves. We have little control over the events of this life; we can control only ourselves and our choices. As Jesus asked, “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Mat. 6:27). 

We learn to submit to our Creator and to seek His will rather than our own. We learn to accept His correction, knowing that He corrects us for our ultimate good, to keep us on the path to His Kingdom. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Prov. 3:11-12).

In the wilderness, we also learn patience and perseverance. Many times, the Israelites lost patience, and many times they wanted to quit following God and return to Egypt. But their impatience didn’t bring them any closer to the end of their journey, nor did their rebellion against God lead to anything but suffering and death. Their impatience and rebellion simply turned a two-year journey to the Promised Land into a forty-year journey, in which most of them died! Let us learn from their example.

God’s way isn’t easy, nor is it for quitters. Getting impatient doesn’t end our troubles any faster; it may instead prolong them. Quitting on God won’t bring us an easy life; it will only bring emptiness, despair, and death. We must patiently endure the troubles and hardships of this life, waiting for God’s deliverance. We must persevere in our walk with God, drawing ever closer to Him and holding fast to Him and His way of life, even if all seems lost. At the right time, when He knows best, God always delivers. Always.

As we read moments ago in the Book of James, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jam. 1:2-4). James exhorted us again near the end of his epistle, “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (Jam. 5:10-11).

Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we must also learn thankfulness and contentment, even in the midst of difficulty. We must learn not to complain or lust after evil things. The apostle Paul reminded us,

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;

9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;

10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. (1 Cor. 10:6, 8-10.)

No one enjoys listening to a complainer, and our Creator is no exception. Though He gave the Israelites all they needed, they complained that He didn’t give them more.

The truth is, thankfulness isn’t dependent upon our material possessions, but upon our own attitudes. Whether we have little or much in this life, we have all that we need and more. If we’re thankful, God will bless us with more. But if we’re ungrateful for what He’s already given, why should He give us more things to be ungrateful about? “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10).

Paul admonished, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:6-8). And again, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13).

And finally, our journey through the wilderness teaches us to put God first, before all else in this life. To have no other gods before Him. The Israelites placed many things before God, from the golden calf to their own wants and desires. Paul reminded us again, “And do not become idolaters as were some of them” (1 Cor. 10:7).

Everything we see around us will one day perish. How foolish, then, to put any of these things before our Creator and His Kingdom! No amount of gain in this life is worth disobeying our Creator. That high-paying job isn’t worth breaking the Sabbath. That romantic fling isn’t worth compromising our relationship with God. Nothing in this life can compare to what God has in store for us if we remain faithful to Him. Jesus Christ posed the question, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Paul reminded us, “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:4-5). 

Every time we insist on our own will instead of God’s, that’s idolatry. Every time we prioritize some relationship or achievement in this life over following our Creator, that’s idolatry. We must let go of these idols. And as we journey through this life with our eyes on the Kingdom of God, every idol will fall by the wayside. We will learn to put God first in everything and to put all our faith and confidence in Him.

Looking Ahead

Remember, this world is not our home. We are merely passing through on our way to the Promised Land. “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

Though we see no pillar of cloud by day or pillar of fire by night, yet our great God is there before us continually, leading the way. We see His hand in our lives through great blessings, deliverances, and answered prayers. He speaks to us through His Word. The more we walk with Him, the better we get to know Him. He is our faithful Father and Friend.

Let us therefore learn the lessons He teaches us, understanding that they are directing us toward His Kingdom. In each test, at each crossroads, let us choose to follow Him. In each trial and tribulation, let us not fear, but press on toward His Kingdom and have faith that He will help us. And in each blessing great and small, let us give Him thanks, even if we don’t yet understand how it will become a blessing! For “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

As the song says, “God is good all the time.”