What more could we say about the desert experience? From cover to cover, the Bible tells us stories about the people of God going through the desert. The desert in the life of the believer is a symbol for the time of spiritual growth and testing. Going through the desert is synonymous with growing spiritually. It’s a time where we are forced to rely only on God. This is hard, which is why the symbol is a desert, and not a dessert. Learning to rely on God entirely fights against the very nature of humanity. It is a struggle, hence a “desert”.
In a way, spiritual growth is synonymous with humbling; and the process of humbling begins with making life harder (Deut. 8:3).
Yet another feature of Israel’s desert wanderings found in the Old Testament is that they are always grumbling while going through the “in-between”. What do I mean by “in-between”? Well, there were moments during Israel’s desert experience that were easier than others. The moments that were the easiest were those where they could easily see and experience God’s presence and stability. These times are always associated with the tribes of Israel being encamped around a mountain. In fact, the story moves from mountain encampment to mountain encampment. The first major mountain encampment is at the famous Mount Sinai.
Israel didn’t grumble as much when they were encamped at the foot of a mountain. It’s when they were moving between mountain encampments that they constantly complained. This is the “in-between”. They were constantly comparing their now experience to a previous mountain experience and/or a potential future mountain experience. This, in sum, is the “grass is always greener on the other side syndrome.”
We do this, don’t we? I do this. I would imagine you do this. I’m sure that you know people who do this. We are never content with where we are today. We are constantly looking back to the glory days through the lens of selective memory, or looking forward for liberation from the present.
The Apostle Paul says, “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. I can do all of this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:12–13).
One of the single most important lessons in growing spiritually (as I’m learning) is learning to depend on God here and now. In the Bible story, this is symbolized in the bread (“manna”) that God provided daily. It was the daily bread of life. Do you eat the manna God is offering you each day? I too easily lose my grip the daily joy that comes with seeing God in all the daily details; washing the dishes, playing with my kids, having a hot cup of coffee, having a meal with my wife. That’s the stuff God is in. That’s our daily bread. If we’re not careful, we will miss it.
The Bible says that Satan is a thief (Jn. 10:10). But what does he want to take from us? He doesn’t want to take our cars, our clothes, our homes…he doesn’t need those things. The thing he wants is our time. He wants our joy. He wants our contentment. He wants to keep us looking backward and forward so that we miss the manna.
Don’t miss the manna.
Thanks for the reminder Matt!