0536. Delivered From Wilderness Wanderings

Delivered From Wilderness Wanderings

"They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in" (Psa_107:4).

The Book of Psalms frequently recounts Israel’s past experience. Of course, we know that these past experiences, all typified experiences which await fulfillment in Israel’s coming days.

The children of Israel were two and one-half years crossing over from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-Barnea. When they came into the region of Kadesh, they sent spies over into the land of Canaan. Eight of these spies gave a bad report of the land. Only two of them urged their entering in, and possessing their possession.

As a result, God turned them back into the wilderness. For thirty-eight more years they wandered in a solitary way. They had no city in which to dwell. They were hungry and thirsty. Their souls fainted in them. Then, in the hour of their trouble, they cried unto the Lord and He delivered them out of their destruction. He led them forth by a right way, and led them to a city of habitation.

1. When we consider Israel’s journeyings through the trackless waste; we cannot help but feel that the average believer, of to-day, is making as little progress in real spirituality, and is as slow in attaining the life of victory and power, as were the Israelites of old.

It was only an eleven-day journey across the wilderness in the first place, yet they were two years and one-half going over. Before they actually went in, they were more than forty years.

Is it not true that most of those who are saved, are still babes in Christ? We need to be taught again the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. We have need of milk, and cannot bear the strong meat of the Word.

Is it not true that we should have passed long ago out of the wilderness? The wilderness life is a life of defeat, where we tempt God and turn back; where we famish for food; where we murmur and complain.

Many believers are singing, "O happy day that fixed my choice," as though that was the only blessed day they ever experienced. When we came to God, it was blessed, but it is always better farther on. Let us get out of the wilderness. Our God is able to deliver.

2. The children of Israel have been wandering for twenty-three centuries among the nations, they have been driven hither and thither. They have suffered untold misery and heartaches. Thank God, their Deliverer is nigh. Their deliverer of old was Moses. Another Deliverer, of Whom Moses was a type, our Lord Jesus Christ, will lead them forth to victory. Out of their wanderings during the centuries, into a land of milk and honey will they be led.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR