NU 11: 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions
and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!"
You may also find yourself having a few rant fests with God, where you decide to give Him a piece
of your mind about how you think He's mistreating you. If this happens, try not to beat yourself up over it, or think you
have lost your salvation for mouthing off to God. God obviously doesn't like us grumbling or complaining anymore than He liked
the Israelites doing it in the first wilderness, but He knows you're hurting. Just remember that God's motives and actions
are always good, and that He is only allowing this to happen for your growth and blessing. Here is what His original intentions
were for the Israelites:
EX 3:7 The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying
out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8a So I have come down to rescue them from the
hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey…
God wanted to set the Israelites free from the oppression of the Egyptians (world, flesh, Devil),
and to bring them into a land of bounty and blessing (anointing, holiness, favor, and abundance). God has also heard your
cries to be free from the grip and oppression of your sin and the world, and now He has brought you out of it to be trained
and to be transformed in your wilderness of preparation. But like anything truly challenging, it is very tough when you are
right in the middle of it. Remember God's forest of goodness, when you are in the trees of bitter trial. There will be a pillar
of fire to guide you (the Holy Spirit) and His daily manna to feed you (His daily words).
It may feel good to grumble, or give in to a sin fix in the wilderness, but it can bring severe consequences
if we just throw up our spiritual hands and say, "I'm out of here". Here is what was written as an admonishment to those of
us in our modern wilderness:
1CO 10:6 Now these things occurred (judgments against the wilderness Israelites) as examples to keep
us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The
people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some
of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were
killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel.
Because the wilderness involves such pain and suffering, it is a place where you may feel the most
tempted to indulge in some old familiar sinful pain relief habits, but God wants to help us through these rough spots instead.
In the wilderness we are expected to face and relinquish all idols in our lives, including and especially old familiar sin
habits. We are not to test the Lord by accusing Him of being neglectful or abusive; and we are to stay away from complaining
and criticizing God in our dilemma. Joshua and Caleb chose to hang onto their faith, and to remember all of the good things
and miracles that God had previously performed for them. If your faith does get shaky, try to do the same thing, and remember
back to all that God has done for you.
Nu 14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land,
tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.
8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to
us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.
Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
Like Caleb and Joshua, refuse to give in to fear and rebellion, even though your circumstances are
tempting you to, keep your trust in God firm by reading the word, praying, and worshiping often. In doing this, the number
of wilderness "melt downs" you experience, can be greatly decreased or avoided. God deliberately allows impossible needs and
trials to come in the wilderness, so that He can show you that He will take care of you, and defend you. Without an impossible
need, there would be no need for a miracle. God expects you to walk in faith, and to allow these things to build your faith.
So if you're frying up a manna burger as we speak, or making some manna kabobs, just trust that God
loves you, and that He will be faithful to you, to lead you all the way through your wilderness, as you keep your faith, trust,
and focus on Him. The wilderness is not for the spiritually indifferent, it is God's elite training school, and it is very
challenging. It involves, and transforms every area of your heart and life. Nothing is left untouched. Jesus said that the
way to life is narrow and few find it. You are one of the few and you serve a very big God who will help you through each
and every step you take ahead in this difficult and demanding desert of change.
