What has God provided while I am traveling through the Land Between?

Take your time before answering the question. Consider what God provided before we entered into the Land Between. Does the landscape have anything to do with His provision? If so, how? 

This exercise is excellent for simply recalling where we recognize God at work in our lives. Gratitude is a common response to receiving God’s provision. I’ve also felt overwhelmed at times when God provided something for me when I least expected it or when I thought something was completely and utterly over. Dead. Never going back to that again…and then comes a grand reminder that we serve a resurrection God. Bill comes to mind. One month before I met Bill, I gave up on dating and went to the Humane Society and adopted a dog. My beagle, Mulligan, was my confidant and partner until I walked into an Emergency Room in the middle of the night with a congregation member who needed support. Bill was exiting the ER and I was entering the ER. I stopped in my tracks and wondered, “Who’s THAT guy?” Several months later, we were married. God provided a God-honoring man who would be the husband I needed for this unfamiliar adventure in a familiar way for me—with a two-by-four.

What does God provide in the Land Between? 

While traveling through the Land Between, God provided for Moses and the Israelites in familiar and unfamiliar ways. At Moses' breaking point, God called him to the Tabernacle--the place of God's presence--to receive His help. God invited Moses to separate himself from the people and enter the holy place. Bitter complaint from the Israelites had worn Moses down. Their complaints had been anchored in the suspicion that the God who rescued them from slavery was untrustworthy and stingy. Moses poured his heart out to God and God…agreed. Moses confessed,”I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.” (Numbers 11:14) God had an answer, a plan and the resources to respond to Moses.

A heart of trust and belief is anchored in a relationship. 

When we travel through the Land Between, it is vital for us to be disciplined in our faith and remain committed to our relationship with God. We all need to silence the critical voices that can become extremely loud and overwhelming when we face uncertainty and unprecedented circumstances. A belief that God is good and will provide out of His reservoir of resources comes from a history of personal experience and … knowledge of God revealed in the bible. Anyone can learn about God from His Word. God is not secret. He doesn’t keep His provision, will or love for special people or special occasions. Plainly put--God does not show favoritism. (Romans 2:11)

Our expectations of God's provision can make us or break us in the Land Between. 

Remember who God is and revisit Exodus 3--the God who sees, hears and is concerned. There are times when we need God to intervene spiritually, physically, emotionally, materially or relationally. Remember who God is as He is revealed in Exodus 3:7: God sees the misery, He heard the cry and is concerned. You may also want to consider the stories of two biblical heavy weights Sarah (Genesis 16) and Hagar (16:13) which means 'you are the God who sees me.’ 

During a time of scarcity, a well placed conversation about God's faithfulness can encourage us to keep moving through the Land Between. I do not believe we are to live in the Land Between. But, it might be tempting to pitch fit and a tent out there and forget God altogether. Doubt and disbelief are normal--but are not to be entertained for long. Moses discovered that God’s meets us at our need: Is the Lord's arm too short? (Numbers 11:23) God responded with a powerful reminder that when we are exhausted and come to the end of our resources--we become anxious—and we doubt Him and His ability. 

Consider the multiple times Jesus provided for his disciples and the people. How many times does Jesus say, "Don't worry?" This doesn't mean act irresponsibly. What it does mean is build a relationship of trust and belief. Jesus is consistent. Jesus doesn’t show favoritism. Jesus sees, hears and is concerned…about you and your situation. The Israelites had not forgotten the trust of Abraham--they heard the story of God's faithfulness. (Genesis 12-22) It meant so much more when the Israelites had their own story to tell. There is a difference between 'theoretical knowledge' and 'experiential knowledge.' We too can know about God's faithfulness--but when we receive God's provision for ourselves in the Land Bewteen we grow deeper in our trust of and belief in Him.

Remind me again, how has God provided for us while we travelled through the Land Between?

The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” Numbers 11:23

Pastor Jen