Wilderness 2
I was sharing with a friend part of what was on my heart and mind about the wilderness and the promise land…then almost at the same time we had the same thoughts – oh, but there were giants! Israel crossed over to the promise land but the battle changed. They had battles faced the enemy many times in the wilderness, but something happened when they crossed the Jordan.
When they entered the promise land the enemy changed, the battle changed and the attack changed. In the wilderness the battles we read about were often from within. They struggled with believing that God was who He said He was. They struggled with their ability to trust God to do what He said He would do. In short they struggled with their faith – that is why when the report came back from the 12 spies about the giants in Canaan their faith failed.
Before they could enter the promise land their faith had to be tried and tested. They had to know who God was and who they were in God. They had to trust their leaders and be willing to do whatever was required. Why? Because when they entered the promise land the enemy that they would face would be different. No longer would they have time to wrestle with whether God would be faithful or not. They wouldn’t have tons of time to murmur and complain and question their leader’s ability to hear God. They had just entered someone else’s territory…They had just entered into a land of well fortified cities filled with giants who weren’t going to willingly hand over the keys to their fortune. When they crossed the Jordan time was of the essence.
I am certain as they walked around the city of Jericho not everyone had the faith to believe and understand what was happening…probably why God commanded there be no talking. I am also fairly confident that walking around that wall was a group of people like Joshua and Caleb who had full confidence, based on what they had been through; that God would do exactly what God said He would do even when they didn’t understand how. Around that wall marching were people who had learned that they couldn’t do it but God could and all He needed was a willing and obedient people to accomplish His plans and purposes. Around that wall were a group of people who believed in the faithfulness of Yahweh and no matter what happened they knew He would not fail them. Around that wall were a group of people that understood and trusted that God had placed Joshua as their leader and trusted that Joshua had heard from the Lord and that was enough for them even when they didn’t understand.
Did Israel get it right all the time? No! Did Joshua struggle with what God was asking? Yes! Did the people struggle with whether Joshua really heard God? Yes! But in the end what did the do? They walked around the wall just as they were told, making sure to follow every instruction just as commanded. And in the end what happened? God showed himself faithful and they conquered the biggest fortress in Canaan.
Do we get it right all the time? No! Will Pastor Bryan struggle with what God ask him and us to do? Yes! I’m guessing he probably already has. Will we struggle with what we are being asked to do? Probably! But in the end what will we be willing to do what is ask or will we return to the wilderness because those are our only options.
