How do you suppose the children of Israel following Moses in the wilderness felt?
Just imagine! They had been living in agonizing slavery. They were totally at the mercy of the government. Everything they did, even to the point of life or death, was in the hands of their masters. Then Moses came. He caused quite a ruckus when he confronted the king.
At first emotions ran high with the thought of deliverance. That thought was soon crushed! The king's new decree demanded more. The work was heavy before - now it was impossible. Moses just made things worse.
Well, Moses finally did lead them out of that land in the middle of the night, no less. They didn't even have time to let the day's bread rise properly. Off they traipsed. Then just as they thought they would finally make it, as they were facing the Red Sea, here came the king's army in hot pursuit. What fear, then it was "what elation" as they walked through the miracle of the parting of the water. What fear they had again when they realized that the army was following them even through the Red Sea! What elation came when they saw the army destroyed!
Oh, it didn't stop there. Then it was no water, then miraculous water; then no food, then miraculous food. Up, down, up, down, for three months now, it had been this way. Now, Moses announces to them that God bore them on eagle's wings! Couldn't God have made it a little easier? (Exodus 19:4).
We don't know if any of the children of Israel felt this way. It could be very possible for it is human nature to be immersed in the feelings of the daily events.
Only spiritual eyesight can see beyond the troubles and feelings of the moment. Developing spiritual eyes to see what God is doing is very necessary for our spiritual health.
God tells us: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9).
It is easy to focus upon troubles, difficulties and suffering. It takes faith and discipline to focus upon God.
Faith comes as we read and hear the Word of God with a believing heart (Romans 10:17). The Word of God is the truth of life. It is the Bible which tells us of our need of a savior. It is the Bible which tells us of God's provision and protection.
It takes discipline to read the Bible daily. Today, we live very busy lifestyles. Our five senses are constantly bombarded with instant gratification. It is so easy to turn on a TV or a radio, and don't we need the noise? All the availability of things that stimulate has in many cases made reading non-essential - or so many believe.
We literally don't know what we are missing if we don't read. We are blessed with so many translations of the Bible available to us.
May we say like Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:38).
Susy Wetz is a member of Newport Baptist Church.
