Our God Carries Us

The experiences of the Israelites as they prepared to and then left Egypt has always been a fascination for me. This group sees mighty miracles that lead to Pharaoh letting them leave Egypt. They walk through the Red Sea as God makes a safe path of escape for them. There is no doubt that it is God at work in this situation. His mighty deeds are recounted to many as they share what the Lord has done for them.

Fast forward to when the Israelites get to the edge of the actual Promised Land. What should be a time of hope and delight is not. There is grumbling. There is immense fear. There is distrust of leadership and of God.

As they get to this point the Israelites are told the following:

“You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of our fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 1:20-21 NIV)

The Israelites have the assurance that the land is theirs. All they need to do is claim it. What is their reaction? Fear. Even when they are told not to be scared, fear runs rampant.

Further on in that chapter, we read of the complaining amongst the Israelites. Spies are sent out to survey the land and they come back with mixed reports. The Israelites look at the vast enormity of the task to claim the land and they panic.

In subsequent verses the Israelites are reminded of how God carried them through their journey from Egypt. Again, they are reminded of God’s promise to fight for them.

The sad result of all this is that very few of the Israelites who lived in Egypt, actually make it to the Promises Land. Their fear and doubt paralyze them and the consequences are dire.

Why does this account hold great interest for me? Because I tend to repeat the mistakes of the Israelites of this time period quite frequently. I forget that God carries me through whatever happens in life. I over analyze situations and my mind plays through all the bad that can happen.

What this part of Scripture should teach us is that nothing is too big for God. If He has promised something; He will fulfill it. We can take hold of His promises and move forward into the grand adventure God has for us.

Sometimes this is a daunting procedure. As we look at what it is before us, we too often panic. This upset is the result of not fully trusting that God walks with us. Even though we have seen God’s hand at work in our lives, our brains want solid proof that we will get through what is coming.

But God doesn’t always give us a sure, strong way through something. Instead, He allows us a challenging path that He guides us along. The trouble lies in the fact of when we don’t trust.

Let’s face it, we can really get ourselves in trouble as we try to manage challenging circumstances on our own. I know I have had many difficulties when I barrel ahead on what I think is right and appropriate without waiting to see what God has in store for me.

I can remember taking on a leadership position. I was positive that God wanted me to use my organizational skills in His service; however, I really didn’t consult Him thoroughly before accepting this particular post. I pushed and wrangled to get into that position. How much simpler it would have been had I instead sought God’s guidance and trusted that He would carry me through whatever door HE opened.

I can get pretty frustrated with the Israelites when I read that portion of Scripture. I wonder why on earth they don’t see what is plainly in front of them – a God who is fighting the battles for them. They know they are the winning side and they still panic.

I don’t want to be like them. I’m sure you don’t either. What can we do? We can take hold of the promises of God to hold us close through anything this life throws at us and to trust that God will carry us through when we don’t have the strength to manage ourselves.

Rather than striving to get through things alone, we are better off when we abide in the Lord.

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