Workday Soul Snack 8/5 ... The Mistaken Pilgrimage
"... come let us make gods who will go before us ..... these are your gods O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt..." Ex 32:1b & 4b
They enjoyed exquisite daily food from heaven. They wore sandals that refused to wear out. They never stopped. No supermarket, butcher or clothes shop was ever visited. No water tanker, meteorologist or GPS system ever required.
These reluctant refugees pursued a fruitless pilgrimage across the barren Sinai peninsula. Forty years of slow learning was their lot. Surely the scenery became familiar. Surely the relentless desert storms wearied them. Surely the desire to settle was countered by the curse of Cain. (Gen 4:11-12)
For forty years God blessed them while they just walked in circles. They tasted his perfect provision. They received visibly His supernatural guidance. Daily they would diet on the miraculous. God had not left them alone, unattended or without counsel. They enjoyed His perfect protection, but still they did not get this pilgrimage correct.
In the pilgrimage that is life God can still have me going around in circles until I stop to hear from Him. (If only I could see this!)
Israel had paradise promised. Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey was their heading (and with God, available). Despite God's proper care and absolutely perfect provision they still missed paradise.
Unable to see God's immensely visible grace, they blamed Him and rebelled. God did not remove His blessings nor break His promises. They were simply left walking in circles. Their pilgrimage brought them pain when God had established it to bring them pleasure. They chose ill will towards God although He had chosen good will towards them.
My own going around in circles will stop, when I stop still and choose to believe well of God constantly. When I stop I can see His handiwork for me. Then I will entertain no lie about Him. Then I will see His grace, and thank Him for it.
Father, your grace to me I now thankyou for. Please forgive me for my complaining. Please forgive me for not seeing your blessings but only burdens. I want to stop with you today. Amen.