The story of Moses, the Israelites, and the journey to the Promised Land is a familiar one. But recently, on a chilly and dark morning, it lit up my heart and mind.
The journey in the wilderness was supposed to take days but instead, it took forty years. Forty years of wandering and enduring harsh elements. Forty years of grumbling people, and grumble they did. Forty years of manna and quail.
Forty years is a long time.
God called Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. It was a burning bush experience (literally), and Moses eagerly responded, “Here I am!” when God called to him (see
Exodus 3:4, NLT).
As God unfolds the plan to Moses, a shift takes place in Moses’ perspective, for it seems too big a task for him to be able to achieve. The questions are endless:
- “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?”
- “Who am I to lead the people out of Egypt?”
- “What should I tell them?”
- “What if they don’t believe me?”
- “What if they won’t even listen to me?”
- “Have you heard me speak lately? I stutter …”
- “Isn’t there anyone else You can send to do this?”
From the start God had given Moses the one and only answer he would need to know and remember:
“God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14, NLT)
God was telling Moses Who He was … the One without any limitations, the One able to do all things, the One who knew all things, the One Who was and is and always will be.
My GPS offers several options as I plug in a destination: the shortest route, the one without tolls, the one with the last traffic. They will all get me to the same destination but the journey will not be the same.
At times, the route God uses in our lives may not be the shortest, or easiest route to our destination. The lessons learned along the way are the lessons God desires for us not only to learn, but to leave behind for our children and grandchildren.
God recorded in His Word the lessons Moses and the people experienced during those forty long years. Through them we learn how to fight our enemies, how to depend on God for our daily necessities, how to trust Him, and the importance of obedience.
But more so, we learn come to learn Who He is.
He is the One who is enough for every situation.
God replies to us, “I AM WHO I AM.”
Remembering Who God is definitely is key! I especially need to remember the magnitude of His loves for me, and trust Him, knowing He is in control. Those two truths can bring me so much peace. But I, like Moses, often am filled with questions, and wonder, “wouldn’t this be a better way?”. Thanks for reminding me that “He is enough for every situation.” He knows exactly what I need and the best way to bring it about! I only need to trust and fully depend on Him! Great post!
It’s amazing how quickly the questions can enter our thoughts. Praying to remember the answer comes quickly and floods out the questions for “He is enough” is the answer always.
Joanna,
When God seems to be taking me the long way to get to my destination, I will remember your GPS analogy. No matter which way the path or how high the hills, and how low the valleys, God is “I am” and He is with me always. Beautiful reminder.
Blessings,
Bev xx
**Joanne….ooops, sorry.
Bev
We are on the same wavelength lately, Joanne. I have reading and thinking about the 40 year journey in the desert for several weeks. God provided all they needed; their shoes never wore out, and yes they learned so much about relying on Him.