The announcement of a family road trip is the quickest way to get our eager 6-year-old twins packed and in the car. As we drive down our road, around the corner and onto the highway, however, the standard travel refrain is soon heard from the little voices in the backseat: “Are we there yet?” It’s a question that’s often repeated, and although as parents we might tire of it, the children never contemplate giving up on the journey and heading home. They might get impatient, but they want to press on to reach the destination.
The book of Exodus charts another road trip, this time on foot and through the desert. It’s the story of the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10), the land of their oppressors, and into Canaan—the Promised Land. The Israelites were hopeful, but it didn’t take long for them to begin grumbling and asking when they were going to get to Canaan. Many even longed for a return to Egypt (Exodus 16:1-3).
In Mark 4:35-41, we read of Jesus telling His disciples that they were going for a journey to the other side of the lake (Mark 4:35). They set sail and Jesus soon fell asleep in the back of the boat. Suddenly, a great storm surrounded them. The disciples woke Jesus up in a panic, terrified that they were about to drown (Mark 4:36-38). Jesus spoke and calmed the storm. Then He rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith (Mark 4:39-40).
When you become weary in a desert period of life and begin to doubt God, or the storms of life begin distracting you from what He called you to do, focus on His promises and trust that He’s with you. He said that He will never “fail you” or “abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5). That’s great news for the journey!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Deuteronomy 34:1-12
More:
Read Exodus 23:20-33. Note what God provides for the Israelites’ journey and what He commands them to do.
Next:
What promises are you waiting for God to fulfill in your life or in the lives of those you love? What do you need to do to press on by faith today?
Tom Felten on February 26, 2014 at 8:11 am
Thanks for this word from the Word, Ruth. Many people I know and love are going through significant storms in life. Yes, how good it is to know that Immanuel (“God with us”) promises to never fail or abandon us. We face the storms, but we don’t face them alone!
Ruth O'reilly-smith on February 26, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Thanks Tom. Even Jesus asked His Father to remove the suffering He was about to endure before His death on the cross (Luke 22:42), yet He says; ‘I want your will to be done, not mine’. When we keep our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus and His promises to us, we are able to go through the desert or the stormy sea. Jesus focused on the joy that would come after going through the pain of the cross – let’s do the same (Hebrews 12:2).
dr.lightsey on February 26, 2014 at 12:51 pm
It is so comforting to know that even through the most difficult times, those who trust in Jesus will never walk alone.
Wayne on February 26, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Keep your eyes on Jesus & the joy he received
we will receive when we make it home !
Hallelujah, Wayne Mercer
Winn Collier on March 4, 2014 at 8:50 am
these truths can be so difficult to hold onto in the long, long deserts. I’ve been there. The grace of God, often offered through the grace of others, is what sustained me.