Our days can often present challenges to be sorted, dealt with, pushed through, or endured. Currently world events and policies are causing everyone to feel the pinch of higher expenses at the supermarket, at the gas pump, in utilities, and in simple trips to Target or Walmart.
But challenges are not something new to be experienced in life.
The Israelites, God’s very own people, faced many challenges in leaving Egypt to travel to the land God had promised to them. Forty years of challenges to be exact.
The Red Sea before them and the Egyptian army in pursuit of them presented the first problem of this journey. But God parted the sea leading them safely through on dry ground, closing the Red Sea on Pharaoh and his army, keeping His people safe. And the challenges continued:
- God led them through the unknown wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night.
- God provided food and water.
- He instructed them with His commands so they would know how to live and obey Him.
- He gave them the land He had promised to them.
Tucked away in Deuteronomy is an interesting verse, one easy to overlook:
“Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.”
(Deuteronomy 8:4, NASB)
Forty years. Their clothes lasted without wearing out. How amazing is this? No holes or thin spots in the fabric. No need of new clothing.
In a hot and dry wilderness, their feet not only did not experience blistering, but they did not swell. Seeing as we are yet in summer, it’s hard to even imagine. Yet walking in a desert for forty years and their feet remained comfortable.
God helped them through each and every challenge, for all forty years, for one reason, and one reason only …
“I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot. You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or strong drink, in order that you might know that I am the Lord your God.”
(Deuteronomy 29:5-6, NASB)
We, much like them, face challenges each day. We do not face any problem alone for our God is with us as well. He knows all the details of our lives and leads us through our days, in the hopes that we will know He is the Lord our God. He desires us to know Him – intimately, deeply, and in relationship.
“Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.”
(Winnie the Pooh)
It’s a good way to live our days. It’s a perspective we need to grab a hold of.
The only thing which will matter is: how did we come through the journey?
Did we experience Him in the journey?
Was God the journey?
Our fellow blogger is releasing a book on September 1st. In her book, Big Hurt Bigger God, Debbie Wilson wants to provide a resource to help people process their pain, losses, and injustices with God so that they can be free to experience healing and transformation. Let’s encourage her this week!
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Amy Spielmaker from Pixabay
I love the questions you pose above Joanne…. especially;
“Was God the journey?”
He definitely is! ☺️
Blessings, Jennifer
I have never really pondered that Deuteronomy verse before but it’s a good one! I often wonder how people can go through this journey called life without God by our side but, you’re right! Not only does He walk beside us – and, at times, carry us – He is the journey that leads to the destination we ultimately seek.
This reminds me of an Elisabeth Elliot quote: “It is God to Whom and with Whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place.”
I was also struck by God saying He did what He did “that you might know that I am the Lord your God.” I know that phrase or idea comes up in Scripture a lot–that would make for an interesting study. It’s also something I have to keep reminding myself of: God’s purpose in what He allows and how He answers prayer isn’t just that I might have a happy little life on earth, but that I may know Him and depend on Him more and more. .
Good questions to remind us that yes, He is with us and the why!
As we moved to the desert 4 years ago, this became one of our favorite scriptures holding out hope:
“Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.”
(Deuteronomy 8:4, NASB)
God is the journey and with us in the midst of the journey of life, so poignant a reminder, Joanne.
Looking forward to Debbie’s book!
And I appreciate a little Winnie the Pooh wisdom now and then!
I’ve experienced times when appliances and cars kept going well beyond their expected expiration date and thought of that verse. God’s provision is sometimes unconventional. And thanks for mentioning my new book!!
I hadn’t noticed the details in the Deuteronomy verse you shared. We never have a reason to grumble do we?! He provides all that we need.
Joanne, I love that verse about how the Israelites’ clothing didn’t wear out and their feet didn’t swell during their 40 years in the wilderness. How kind of God to provide in that way even though they were wandering out there because of lack of faith. I’m so glad He is with us and wants us to know He is Lord.