Between Egypt and the Promised Land

I am working through a study in the life of Christ right now. One of the days looked at Jesus’ time of temptation in the wilderness and it paralleled it to God’s words to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8.

Deuteronomy 8:11-18 says, “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”

There is a purpose to the wilderness. Between Egypt and the Promised Land, there must be a wilderness. Between baptism and the calling of the disciples, there must be a wilderness. Between grad school and EMBARK, there must be a wilderness.

The wilderness makes us dependent on God. The wilderness is a reminder of God’s provision. The wilderness keeps us rooted when the blessings come. The wilderness helps us not to forget.

I believe God has amazing things planned for EMBARK. I do not want to forget and think that what is coming is because of my work, my dream, or my abilities. All that will happen with EMBARK comes from the hand of God.

I must walk through the wilderness right now so I do not forget. There must be visits to the hospital, visa struggles, loneliness, discouragement, unforeseen expenses, temptations, and all the other trials that come with the wilderness. I will never be able to say, “I have achieved this with my own strength and energy.” This is the only way I can be prepared for the Promised Land.