The Israelites’ Red Sea moment celebrated the greatest victory they had ever seen in their lifetime. For four hundred years since Joseph’s reign, God’s people lived outside the land He had promised to Abraham. For at least a generation, they had been in bondage to the Egyptians. Father after father would have passed down God’s promise to Abraham with the hope that was to come.
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. Genesis 15:13-14
After the ten plagues silenced every god Egypt worshipped, God placed His people on the precipice of the Red Sea. There was nowhere to go with Pharoah’s army right on their heels. Miraculously, God’s cloud separated the Hebrew people from their enemy. He dried a path through the Sea, and when the last straggler got to the other side, God allowed Pharoah’s army right into His trap. The sea bed was no longer dry. The chariots bogged down into the mud, and the entire might of Egypt drowned when the water crashed over them. Moses led God’s people in a song of victory to celebrate the great things He had done.
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:1-2
It only took three days before that victory was a distant memory. Granted, they were in a desert with no water, and anyone would have been a little panicky, but if God could dry up a path through a sea, could He not provide water for a few million people? And again, God came through for them. After the people left God’s next place of provision, the complaining had become an ingrained habit. 1. Come to a place of need. 2. Get angry at Moses and God. 3. Tell your neighbor how sorry God’s plan is. 4. Threaten to mutiny. 5. God graciously gives you what you need anyway. 6. Repeat for the next forty years. You get the picture. It was not a pretty example for the generations to follow.
Eleven days. It should have been a short journey to the Promised Land from Egypt, even for a million people on foot. If only they would have decided to trust God and do what He said. But no. They stuck with their patterns of mistrust and disobedience, and an entire generation wasted their lives wandering in the wilderness instead of enjoying the land God had prepared for them. Those silly Israelites are not a bit like people today, though. Right? Ha!
Why do we continue in ways that we know are unhealthy and empty? Because change can be hard and our disordered lives are uncomfortable, but familiar. Sure, we know where the same decision will lead us again, but that makes it safer in our minds because at least we know what to expect.
What will it take to get to the place God promised? A place of rest instead of wandering? A place of peace instead of turmoil? A place of joy instead of unending complaint? It will take trust and obedience.
That seems pretty simple, but change will need intentional effort. It may need a person further along in the journey to walk alongside you for a while. It may require a few missteps until the path gets a little smoother. And it will absolutely need God’s help all. along. the. way. That is usually the whole point of the wilderness journey from God’s perspective. When we think we don’t need Him, He is adept at making sure we recognize that we do. Just ask the Israelites. They probably have a whole different perspective from this side of the journey.
So, what is the thing you know God wants you to do next? Will you trust Him and step into His direction? Will you believe His promises? Are the things He has promised worth the discomfort of obedience now? Or will you keep wasting your life wandering in circles made of your own obstinance? Not all who wander are lost; sometimes they’re just obstinate.
His Song in the Night 