Christians, what was the specific purpose of God taking the Israelites to the Desert? It was two-fold. God wanted to destroy the generation who doubted and believed lies sown by the enemy, that they could not go take the land. The second reason was to let the younger, purer in heart generation grow up, so they could take the inheritance God promised.
There were other times when God wanted to destroy a certain group of people. He had the ground swallow them up, He had used snakes bites, and He had plagues move through the group. God used the desert as a unique purification process for the Israelites. He did not wipe the doubters out in an instance, instead He let old age take care of them, but why? Think of this, if God had destroyed all the doubters in an instance, who would have raised the children, the younger generation? God was merciful and kind. Thinking about the ones who would be there taking the inheritance, He allowed them to grow and mature, so that they could be ready. Ready and able to fearlessly, without doubt or lies, follow God and take the promises He had for them. So what do you think God is doing when He takes us, Christians, through a desert period in our lives?
I believe within each one of us, He is killing off areas of doubt and lie-based thinking. All the while He is nurturing the pure and true areas of our life to grow up and strengthen us, so that we will be ready to take the promise boldly and confidently that He has set before us. I know personally that when God lead me into the testing season, I didn’t understand it, I thought I was ready. I thought I was a Caleb, or Joshua, but I had areas of my life that still were not mature or ready.
If God had given me the promised land back then, areas of doubt or lie-based thinking would have caused my destruction. I see now as I look back through the wilderness, that at most check points something died. There was some aspect of my old nature, my old man, my lie based thinking, my unbelief, or my doubt, that was left there. I can also see checkpoints of my faith, my trust, my love, and my obedience which are now matured. That exchange is what is preparing me. It’s what prepared the Israelites.
Christians, those changes will also prepare you, to cross the Jordan and let God lead you into YOUR promised land. To let God take you by the hand and show you your inheritance, to show you what He has in store. Trust in Him, lean not on your own understandings, He will make straight your paths and lead you into all truth, In Jesus Name, Amen.
So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the entire generation of those who had done evil in the sight of the Lord was destroyed. Numbers 32:13 (NASB)
Ground swallowed up Korah’s rebellion Numbers 16: 1-34
Snakes attack Israelites Numbers 21:6
Plague against Israel Numbers 25:1-9
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. I Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Joshua 1:2-3 (NIV)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2017
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