Everyone needs patience, but most people don’t like the process of becoming a patient person. The Israelites’ experience in the desert gives us insight into patience in the wilderness.
“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days.
“And the Lord spoke to me, saying: ‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward. And command the people, saying, “You are about to pass through the territory of your brethren, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore watch yourselves carefully. 5 Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as one footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.You shall buy food from them with money, that you may eat; and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink.
“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.” Deuteronomy 2:2-7
The Lord had given specific instructions to Moses. The Israelites were about to travel through the territories of their brethren, the descendants of Esau. The Lord told the Israelites that these people would be afraid of them (verse 4). He also gave them instructions in verses 5 and 6 on how to pass through the territory. The Lord told Moses that He had not planned on giving those territories to them.
This chapter of scripture is very important for the desert seasons of life. When we are going through the wilderness, we feel bewildered and lost. Sometimes, people feel that they haven’t been able to accomplish much.
In the desert seasons, people don’t have the opportunity to build. The Israelites were in transition. At this point in scripture, the Israelites had been on the move for 40 years. They couldn’t build houses, or support themselves, but God sustained them by providing Manna for forty years!
The book of Genesis describes how God created us in His image and He called us to be fruitful, multiply, & subdue the earth. As people, we have a desire to create, work, produce, prosper, & increase. However, in a long desert journey, those longings may not get met. He is a faithful God. He will give us what we need, but in that season, He may not give us what we desire!
In desert seasons, we need to allow our desires to be subdued by Heaven, or our desires may impact our attitudes and our actions. These desires could create dissatisfaction in our lives. They will try to redefine us based on our perceived lack in life. This can lead to jealousy and envy of others who may be in a different season of life.
Are you in a desert season? How are you handling it? What is the Lord speaking to you right now?
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.