The journey of a lifetime - Part II

^1-2These are the sermons Moses preached to all Israel when they were east of the Jordan River in the Arabah Wilderness, opposite Suph, in the vicinity of Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. It takes eleven days to travel from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea following the Mount Seir route.

^3-4 It was on the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year when Moses addressed the People of Israel, telling them everything God had commanded him concerning them. This came after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled from Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who ruled from Ashtaroth in Edrei. It was east of the Jordan in the land of Moab that Moses set out to explain this Revelation.

(Deuteronomy 1:1-4)

We began to look at this book of history a little yesterday.  Israel was taking up on an 11 day journey that would ultimately take them 40 years to make.  We examined how this is not unlike us as we consider our journey toward deliverance from the things that hold us back, or hold us in bondage.  Today, I'd like us to focus on the fact set before us that it was after a huge victory that God's directions began to come to Moses for the people of Israel.  It is often that way in our lives - we have a great victory, and then we begin to sense / know the direction of God for our lives.

Yet, we find ourselves often facing the "clarity" of God's direction with many mixed reactions.  Sometimes we embrace it, walk into it and enjoy our victory all the more when we do.  There are other times when we don't want his direction or don't accept it because:

• We fear the unknown
• We fear the things that seem insurmountable
• We don't trust those God has placed in our lives as leaders
• We don't trust God
• It is easier to complain than to be obedient (ouch!)
• It is easier to turn and flee, than it is to face our enemies
• We don't understand the timing of the Lord
• We want our own way (double ouch!)

Here's the cold, hard truth - it is time to "break camp"!  We have been stalled in our places of apathy, bondage, and disobedience long enough!  The fact is that God is more concerned with our movement than he is with our contentment!  When we get too content (even if it is in our misery), he begins to orchestrate things that will bring about "movement" in our lives.  We can resist this all we want, but it will happen!

These guys were going around that mountain 40 years - an eleven day journey!  It was "long enough" for them to get quite content in their journey.  It was time for God to mix things up!  Here's the truth we need to get from this story - until we are ready to "break camp" we'll never occupy the places of victory God has in store for us!