🌿BREATHE TRUTH🌿
“If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to serve us all to death.” —Exodus 16:3
🌿LIVE THE REAL TRUTH🌿
The Israelites have seen the glory of God rise from the bottomless pit of slavery and subjugation. They have experienced the unprecedented crossing of the Red Sea and the unexpected change of bitter to fresh water at the oasis of Marah. From Marah, they arrive at Elim where 12 springs and 70 palm trees greet them as guests for shade and shelter.
But now they are traveling in the wilderness of Sin, situated between Elim and Mr. Sinai. No paradise oasis, no perfect pictures here to take. The weather is sweltering hot and their stomachs are singing pangs. One month after the anniversary of their successful exodus from Egypt. Their humanity roars hunger. To the point that they want to return to Egypt and re-live the good old days of meat and bread. And slavery. Really?
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Satan finds us when we are weak.
In Luke 4, we also find a spiritual wilderness and a spiritual assault. Jesus is hungry and the devil comes to tempt him.
Satan: Change these stones into bread. If you are hungry, do something about it.
Satan: All glory of the world’s kingdoms belong to me. If you worship me, I will give this glory to you.
Satan: God can protect you, right? If you think he can, test him.
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Satan finds us when we are wandering.
The Israelites think they are alone in the wilderness. But from the minute they step into freedom, Satan has been accompanying them the entire way. Satan has been analyzing them and he knows their weaknesses in their wandering.
The Israelites are famished. So Satan places doubts. Satan’s lie: God leaves you here to starve. Our Thinking: Egypt has the best food. Reject God, check.
The Israelites flip-flop. So Satan places doubts. Satan’s lie: Meat and bread better than the Red Sea miracle. Our Thinking: Being a slave with food is better than becoming a free people with no food. Reject God, check.
The Israelites are fickle. So Satan places doubts. Satan’s lie: God isn’t going to draw from his storehouse of abundance to provide adequate resources. Our Thinking: Is He God or not? Reject God, check.
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Satan finds us when we are wanting.
Satan positions doubt to distract Jesus and discourage the Israelites in the wilderness. He waits when we are most vulnerable during a critical season of crisis, challenge, and calamity.
Jesus is hungry. The Israelites are hungry.
Satan maneuvers in times of need….if God doesn’t show you his provision, He’s not God. Satan to Jesus: Break your spiritual fast. Your physical needs are greater. Satan to the Israelites: Your spiritual deliverance can’t deliver your physical needs.
Satan minimizes God’s glory….if God doesn’t show you his power, He’s not God. Satan to Jesus: I can give you glory. Satan to the Israelites: God’s glory in the Red Sea won’t do you any good if ya’ll are starving.
Satan mocks God….if God doesn’t show you his protection, He’s not God. Satan to Jesus: See if God will save you if you jump off this building. Satan to the Israelites: Ya’ll are starving and God isn’t using his provisions to save you.
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Not today, Satan.
At some point in our lives, we will find ourselves in a wilderness somewhere and Satan will find us there too. What do we do? We can do what Jesus does. No….Not today, Satan.
You can’t have a piece of my life. Not today. Satan. The Lord is my Shepherd.
Not my security. Not today. I have all that I need.
Not my sanity. Not today. He lets me rest in green meadows.
Not my serenity. Not today. He leads me beside peaceful streams.
Not my strength. Not today. He renews my strength.
Not my story. Not today. He guides me along right paths bringing honor to His name.
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Not tomorrow, Satan.
In the wilderness, it may seem like God is not meeting your needs. You may be tempted to walk away from God. But in your most difficult trial and deepest tribulation, God has not walked away from you. He is still the Good Shepherd. You lack nothing.
Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. Are you hungry? Trust the Real Truth. He leads you through the Red Sea. He will see you through your wilderness.
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©️2019 Jordan Su