Desert living

A few years ago I began a series on Moses but never finished writing it (you can read them here and here). The story resounded with my heart more than I expected and not wanting to deal with it, I avoided that part of the Bible until today.

 

The story of Moses is one of dreams and hope restored. Moses had a dream of social justice. His people were enslaved and he wanted to help them. He thought this was God's call on his life. He ended up killing a man in an attempt to defend his people. He quickly learned they did not want his help, and Pharaoh wanted to kill him for this act of violence. He was rejected by both people groups.

Moses sat in the desert by a well wondering what he was doing there. Had he totally missed what his call was? Did he even have purpose anymore? He was surrounded by sheep and sand nowhere near where he thought he should be. He thought he was to free God's people but instead was running for his life. I imagine he was feeling like he failed God. 

 

It is at this point seven girls come with their flocks to get water. The shepherds try to run them off but Moses stands up for them. Their father invites him in and makes him part of their family.

 

The significance of this part of the story is the father's name. He actually had two names: Jethro and Reuel. Both names are significant. Reuel means "friend of God", and Jethro means "his abundance". Jethro is only called Reuel twice in the Bible, this time and later in the book of Numbers. It is significant that he was called Reuel here beause of the meaning of his name: friend of God. Moses wanted nothing to do with God nor His people. In fact, when Mosrs met God at the burning bush forty years later, Moses again tried to hide from God. So God gave him the next best thing, his friend. 

 

Moses thought he was running from God but in fact was just being sent to God's friend. Moses got to spend forty years with God's friend and be part of a family he thought he could never have. 

There are times when we don't want to face God and He honors that. He let Moses camp out for forty years. It is important to note that Moses was never hidden from God. In fact, God goes after those who hide. Adam and Eve hid when they sinned and God went looking for them. Moses hid in the desert when He murdered a man. And God met him in that desert. Don't believe God won't come find you. He never loses sight of you. 

Moses thought his life was over. He was content living in the desert with a bunch of sheep even though he knew deep in his heart he was destined to lead a nation. This was only the first half of his life and only a fraction of his story. There was still so much more God had in store for Moses. He wanted to restore those dreams and hopes Moses did not dare to dream again. 

Do not lose heart if you are in the desert right now. God is not done with you. He has so much more for you. 

Water walking with Jesus

In Matthew 14 we read the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and the story of Peter walking on water. Jesus just found out his cousin was murdered and several of the disciples learned their previous mentor/leader was murdered. They wanted some alone time to grieve but the crowds found Jesus. Instead of disbanding the crowd early in the day he continued teaching and healing. The day wore on and evening came. Stomachs growled and attention spans waned. The disciples wanted to send the people away, but Jesus continued to care for the crowd. He provided the food and had the disciples feed the people. 

 

After a long day Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him while He dismissed the crowds. He then spent some time with His Father. The disciples, also tired from grief and a long day, began to sail across Lake Galilee. When they were far from the shore, a storm hit. These experienced fisherman fought the storm in an attempt to stay afloat and reach the shore. 

 

By now it's early morning and the disciples are beyond exhausted. Through the rain and the crashing waves they see a ghostlike figure making his way toward them. They freak out and Jesus tells them they don't need to worry because it's Him. Peter, either more rash than normal because of his circumstances or more calm than the others and seizing an opportunity for adventure, steps out onto the water toward his Saviour. 

 

By the time he ecstatically realizes he's walking on the water, he rationally realizes he's walking on water. 

 

But the story does not end here. There are three immediately's in this story. Immediately Jesus sent the disciples in the boat once they fed the people. Immediately Jesus told them not to be afraid. Immediately Jesus grabbed Peter when he started to sink. 

 

The point of this story is not that Jesus put his friends in a storm so He could see how they would react. I believe the point is that they were in a storm and Jesus was with them every step of the way. They were tired and grieving so He let them head out early. They were tired and afraid in a storm so He walked out to them. Peter realized he was doing something only the Son of God had done previously and started to sinkt, so Jesus grabbed him and helped him do it again. 

You may be surrounded by the miraculous but Jesus does not leave you with ministry stories to keep you afloat. He comes to you in the storm, walks with you on the water and climbs into the boat with you.