Purposeful Pathways

So we have this very interesting combination of experiences. On the one hand, God allows them to encounter hunger and thirst. But one the other hand, he miraculously provides manna for them to eat. He miraculously supplies water.

This same combination is all through the Bible. God provides Abraham and heir—but it takes a whole lot longer than Abraham was expecting. Joseph’s dreams come to pass but only after years of slavery and prison. Moses does become the great deliverer he was destined to be. But it happens after some humbling experiences and 40 years in the wilderness as a nobody. We could talk about David’s journey to the throne and even his struggles as king. We could talk about Jeremiah. We could talk about all the apostles. There Apostle Paul had abundant visions and revelations. Through him God healed the sick, raised people from the dead, turned multitudes from the power of Satan to a rich life in God. On the island of Malta, people tried to proclaim him and Barnabas as gods. But on another occasion, his friends had to lower him from a window in a basket so that he could run for his life.[2] (Moments of great victory and exaltation tempered with humbling experiences when he was painfully aware of his weakness and humanity)

That’s why he could say in Phil 4:12 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Now I ask you “Haven’t you found the same kind of patterns in your own life?” On the one hand, problems arise that seem insurmountable, you are painfully aware of your own insufficiency and personal need and weaknesses.[3] But on the other hand, there are wonderful answers to prayer--answers that leave no doubt about God’s loving care and goodness. I am amazed at the answers to specific prayers Jeanie and I have experienced in recent months—the Lord has done great things whereof we are glad.

Have you wondered at times why God didn’t make your journey easier? But haven’t you also found the Lord faithful when you called upon Him in times of need?

II. Why does God bring this combination of difficulty and provision in our lives? Why was it so for these people? We are clearly told the reason in our text.

Look again with me at verse 2, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the dessert these forty years, to humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.” Their experiences were tailor made by God to do a deep work of grace in their hearts. The trials were designed not to show God what was in their hearts but to show them. When the pressure really got on, that’s when they found out where they were spiritually. Any of us can look pretty good when things are going our way and living is easy. But we find a whole lot more about ourselves when trials come. Has anyone here ever seen a tire blow out on the display rack at the store? All those tires look good sitting there on the rack. It’s when you’re going down the road 70 miles and hour with a full load and you hit a rock or something—that’s when you really find out what that tire is made of. If it’s going to blow out that’s when it will happen.