IN THE DESERT WITH NO DESSERT

Are you hungry for the wonderful things that God has to offer? Are you willing to do the things that God asks of you to obtain them? Do you trust Him to provide these things for you?

In the book of Exodus, Moses led the captives out of Egypt. As they left they danced and sang. They looked forward to the good times ahead of them. They never considered the obstacles they would have to face to get to the land of plenty. They took all the spoils of Egypt with them including what seemed like plenty of food. Of course that quickly ran out as days of endless walking passed by.

It wasn’t long though before that food had run out and the people began complaining. In fact, they went so far as to indicate they had wished they had stayed as slaves in Egypt. They were willing to give up the freedom God offered them all because they thought there was no food for them in the desert. They forgot that there was a wonderful dessert awaiting them at the end of their journey in the land that flowed with milk and honey. They didn’t consider asking God to provide them with food. Instead they grumbled to Moses

When Abraham petitioned God on the people’s behalf, God sent Manna. Manna was a bread like substance that would sustain them for the forty years that they spent “wandering” in the desert.

Was this God’s best plan for them? No; his original plan was for them to enter into the land of plenty.

“We went into the land that you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!

Here is its’ fruit.” Numbers 13:27

“When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them Numbers 13:23

Along with grumbling over food, the Israelites were afraid of the people who lived in the Promised Land. They did not trust God to protect them as they had not trusted Him to provide food. Therefore God made them wander in the desert for forty years; eating only Manna. They never tasted the better food that He had planned for them.

Do we sometimes choose to live like this? God gives us Manna in our lives during the difficult times, yet promises so much more if we follow and obey Him. Many people are content to live on the Manna forever. They never know the wonders that they miss out on. They are saved. They have received answers to a few prayers. But they do not realize how much more God has to offer us; our own Promised Land.

Not only does God want to give us the life sustaining Manna of Salvation. He also wants to share His wonderful fruit with us; the kind that comes from following and obeying His word.

If you will continue to seek God daily, follow and obey His word, you will enjoy more and more of the banquet He has prepared for our lives. Don’t stay in the desert…….Seek the Dessert!

LOVE FOUND IN THE SNOW

by Teresa Ives Lilly

When Shera Logan stepped off the train to stretch her legs, she never expected to twist her ankle and be abandoned at a coal stop, sixty miles from the next town. After walking for hours, she realizes that she can go no further, so she lays down in the snow, makes a snow angel and her most special prayer asking God to either send someone to help her or to take her home.

PURCHASE AT AMAZON