May the mumbling commence!
When we are about to begin a new chapter in our lives, it is good to remember where we have come from. In chapter thirty-three of Numbers there is a good and brief synopsis of the exodus to remind Israel of where they had come from as they were about to start claiming the Promised Land. Read it below:
This is the itinerary the Israelites followed as they marched out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord's direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress. These are the stages of their march, identified by the different places they stopped along the way.
They set out from the city of Rameses on the morning after the first Passover celebration in early spring. The people of Israel left defiantly, in full view of all the Egyptians. Meanwhile, the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn sons, whom the Lord had killed the night before. The Lord had defeated the gods of Egypt that night with great acts of judgment! (Verses 1-4)
Israel would encounter gods a plenty in the land of Canaan. If they remember where they came from, they would know that other gods could not stand before the living Lord God of Israel. They had no need to fear. They have been bought at a price. They owe God their allegiance and their lives.
May we be as quick to remember the work that Christ Jesus completed for us when we embark on new challenges and opportunities in our lives. May we be willing to count the cost. May we be willing to follow. Read from Luke chapter nine:
As they were walking along someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you no matter where you go."
But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head."
He said to another person, "Come, be my disciple."
The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father."
Jesus replied, "Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach the coming of the Kingdom of God."
Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family."
But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God." (Verses 57-62)
Serving Jesus can mean that we will not only look homelessness in the face but we will also live that life from time to time. It means that we are always looking for the nation that we truly belong to – the Kingdom of God. Serving Jesus sometimes means leaving your genetic family behind. Serving Jesus means taking the plow of the Gospel and not looking back – as Lot’s wife did, and she turned into a pillar of salt.
Let’s give God the blank check that is our life. Do with me; do with us, what you please. We will follow regardless of the cost, knowing that our loving Lord will always provide for our needs (but not our greed).
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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