Are you clinging to old ways, trying to hold on to the past or temporal things that will not last the test of time? Sometimes holding on to the past is to hold onto bitterness, resentment or seeking revenge for past hurts. Maybe it’s clinging to old, familiar patterns of life because you fear an unknown future.
In Exodus 16:20, the Israelites “did not listen and some left part of it (the manna) until morning and it bred worms and became fowl (NASB).” God told them to only collect what they needed for the day and not to hold on to any leftovers. They would have exactly what they needed for sustenance for the day, no more, no less. So why would some of the Israelites hold on to extra for the next day? Were they worried the manna would not be there tomorrow, then what would they eat?
Essentially, holding on to the leftovers is saying they did not trust God. They did not trust him in the unseen tomorrow and instead trusted in the leftovers. Isn’t that like us? We would rather cling to the leftovers of life, the things we have today that we can see, instead of stepping into the unknown of tomorrow—moving toward the unseen that God promises us each day.
Just as the Israelites were being moved toward a new thing, the promised land, God is trying to move you to a new land, a land flowing with good things. But it requires you to take those small steps of trusting God.
God told Moses to tell the Israelites, “I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I might test them whether they will walk in my direction (Exodus 16:4).” He is testing them in the little things, seeing if they will follow His directions or stick to their own way. He is testing their faith in him, in things unseen.
I’m not the first to write about wilderness journeys that test us and strengthen our faith. Hebrews 12 tells us of how many of God’s faithful had their faith tested. Trials are a part of life and they will test our faith. But we need to focus on what those trials can bring. Is it possible it could bring something much bigger and better than we can comprehend in our current situation?
Isaiah 43:17 tells us: “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Can you embrace the new thing God is doing in your life despite the current troubles you can only see before you? Can you envision a river flowing in the desert you are now in, a roadway through the wilderness you are currently entangled in. Can you believe God will move the mountain for you if you have faith?
140 Character Christian 