THE THOUGHT TODAY

19/1/11
A Walk In The Desert
Exodus 14:13-16

The Book of Exodus tells us of the time when Moses was leading the children of Israel to a promised
land, away from Egyptian bondage and slavery. With their backs against an impassable sea, the
Israelites asked Moses. “Why bring us here to die? We could have stayed in Egypt and live in captivity.
Didn't we tell you to leave us there and let us continue to serve the Egyptians?” Truly? Why did
Moses take them away from “the land of milk and honey” to this place of desolation and imminent
return to Egyptian captivity?

Then said Moses to them. “Fear ye not. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he will
show you today”. Had Moses lost his mind? How could this happen in this wilderness place? From
where did Moses get this assurance?

From his own walk in the desert!

Years before, while Moses enjoyed the best that Egypt could offer, he joined in a fight on behalf of a
fellow Israelite and slew an Egyptian man. The rest of the story is well known. Moses fled to “a desert
place” - Midian and became the keeper of sheep for his father in law Jethro. Then God called him from
a burning bush and said to him, “I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of their captivity.”

When Moses doubted his ability to do the task at hand, God demonstrated his power in signs and
wonders. When he made the excuse that he could not speak, his tongue was too slow, God offered
Aaron as a spokesman. Thus it was that with signs and wonders, the children of Israel had now come
to their own desert place, where it seemed that the Egyptians would overcome them and bring to naught
the promise of milk and honey in an overflowing land. Many were the travails and trials which Moses
encountered with the Children of Israel but the Lord, however, kept his word and led them through.

For many of us this story is well known. It has been told for many a year. It may even be better known
than our own “walks in the deserts” of our lives. As we journey through the joys, pains, challenges and
fears of jobs, family, social obligations and concerns, the keeping of life and limb, our searching for a
place of rest, our own space in the sun, we too take our own walks in a desert place.

I trust and hope that as we step out on scorching rocks, have our feet and clothes torn by sharp jagged
stones, are dehydrated by life sapping cares and concerns, and even cry to remain in Egypt's Bondage
land, we see God's hand stretched out, over our seas, so that we can go through on dry ground

Today

Ashley R Cain
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