ENDURING THE WILDERNESS

INTRODUCTION •

When we left off, God’s people had just experienced a miracle at the Red Sea.

• They were on cloud nine as they danced towards their freedom and their Promised Land.

• However, there was a much larger obstacle than any sea in their way: the wilderness.

• By its sheer difficulty, it made the sea look like a stream.

• What was Israel to do? They had to learn to endure the wilderness.

• ILLUSTRATION:

Discuss habits and repetition. (Things you do the exact same way consistently.)

• I am a creature of habit. I consistently build routines that I repeat like a broken record.

• For instance, my nights are as predictable as the sunset.

• I do my skincare routine, drink a cup of Sleepy time tea, read a few chapters of a book, and wind down while listening to the same exact Spotify playlist as the night before.

• If I get them out of order or skip the routine, my week will derail.

• It’s both a comfort and a curse.

• A major part of a routine is repetition.

• You do the same thing over and over again.

• You eat the same thing over and over again.

• You take the same steps over and over again.

• I find comfort in this, but my wife thinks it’s crazy.

• She’ll ponder, “How do you drink the same smoothie every morning and the same tea every night? Don’t you want some variety?” She’s not wrong.

• Sometimes I get sick of the same chia smoothie and the same chamomile tea, so I break the routine.

• Frustration gets the best of me, and I rebel against my routine.

• When I do this, I feel great at first, but I will eventually long for the familiar.

TENSION

• A little variety is good for the soul. I am certain the ancient Israelites agreed. Their routine in Egypt was finally interrupted! • No more toiling in the fields.

• No more lugging bricks.

• No more daily check-ins with their masters.

• God had just set them free from slavery by parting the Red Sea and allowing them to walk freely into their promising futures.

• However, they didn’t immediately step into the Promised Land or an all inclusive resort.

• It was not as bad as slavery, but it certainly wasn’t a “land of milk and honey” either.

• Their painful routine in Egypt was replaced with a problematic routine in the wild.

• Do you know what was on the other side of the Red Sea? Endless wilderness.

• It was desolate, dusty, and demanding. While they were thankful to be out of captivity, the people craved at least a sliver of luxury.

• A million people were suddenly stuck in the desert.

• How do you think they felt? They used to live near the Nile River on fertile farmland on the outskirts of Egypt.

• They had plentiful crops, running water, and a place to take a bath.

• It was lush and green.

• Now, they were surrounded by a dozen shades of brown.

• Dirt, rocks, and mud served as the only scenery.

• I would assume no one sent out a postcard saying, “Wish you were here.” Why? Because they didn’t even want to be there.

• There was no way to nourish themselves.

• There was no way to shower.

• There was no way to brew their favorite cup of tea.

• They had to rely on God to provide. What did God do?

• Of course, He came through. Take a look at how he helped His people endure the wilderness.

Contextualizing the passage

• At some point in your life, you will find yourself in the wilderness. Not literally, but emotionally.

• You'll feel exhausted, exacerbated, and longing for an escape.

• You’re not where you were, but you’re also not where you want to be.

• You’re stuck in the in-between.

• This is when we enter the wilderness.

• Suddenly, we become campers longing for a better place to rest our heads.

• As far as the Bible is concerned, “wilderness” is a common theme.

• It’s not just sandy dunes with sunburn and snakes though. It’s also a metaphor for places of challenging “in-betweens.”

• Unfortunately, the Israelites found themselves in both a spiritual and a literal wilderness. It was harsh and hard, so they did exactly what we would do in this situation.

• They complained a lot.

• Their surroundings were scary, and their stomachs were empty. “God, why are we here? We’d rather die in Egypt than live out here,” they grumbled.

• How did God respond to their cries? He provided.

• Every day, a strange food called manna rained from the sky. What is that? Well, that’s actually a funny question. “Manna” is Hebrew for “What is it?”

• It was called this because they had never seen these little angel cakes before. So, they just gave it a name that defined its mystery.

• Manna was unexpected, but it was also exactly what they needed.

• It was nutritious, plentiful, and free. Every sunrise, they’d walk outside to see little pillows of bread-y treats around their campsite.

• They’d collect just enough, eat it, then gather some more the next day.

• God provided for Israel in the wilderness, which allowed them to endure the wilderness.

• The same is true for you. God provides, so you can endure.

• With manna-filled bellies, the Israelites still fell into a few traps. You may fall into similar patterns and pitfalls, so here are two warnings for your wilderness season.

• God’s children made their frustration loud and clear.

• They complained to Moses, their leader.

• They complained to Aaron, his assistant.

• They complained to Jehovah, their God.

• They doubted God’s provision and questioned His love.

• Even as food fell from heaven, they shrugged and said, “What is it?”

• Even when God was providing, they didn’t recognize it.

• In your wilderness season, learn from the Israelites. Don’t let your frustration create an ungrateful heart or an unfaithful spirit.

• Trust that God’s provision is exactly what you need when you need it.

• It may be some weird version of bread, but it’s still provision.

• It may be a job you hate, but it’s still provision.

• It may be a church with creaky pews, but it’s still provision.

• Try to recognize the ways God provides because His provision doesn’t usually follow our specifications.

• Our frustration in the wilderness reveals a lack of reliance on God. So, how do we overcome it?

• We live like manna-eating campers at times.

• Every morning, they gathered their daily bread. They entered into a life of faith filled routine. 

• Do the same. Endure your wilderness “one day at a time.”

• Think of everything these people had experienced.

• God sent plagues to prove his power.

• God provided Moses to lead them home.

• God parted the Red Sea to set them free.

• They were literal slaves a few weeks before, and now they were a free nation.

• Miracle after miracle, their story was surrounded by the supernatural.

• Sadly, they allowed their frustration to make them forgetful.

• We do this all the time. We forget all the amazing ways God has provided for us in the past when in the middle of the wilderness.

• God brought you through similar seasons; He will bring you through this one.

• You’ve made friends when loneliness swept over you, you’ve gotten rest when your mind raced with anxiety, and you’ve felt renewed joy when your surroundings were discouraging.

• He’s provided for you, blessed you, and protected you. Remember that.

• Reflect on that. It will rejuvenate you.

• Don’t allow the wilderness to make you forgetful.

• Israel saw a desert; God gave them a breadbasket.

• They saw dry land; God produced water.

• They saw a wilderness; God sparked wonders.

• God provided daily and miraculously for them, just like He does for you.

• Your frustration and forgetfulness will fade as you remember God’s faithfulness.

• Manna on the ground seems pretty weird, right? Sometimes God provides for us in weird ways. Embrace this reminder.

• God’s provision is not defined by our expectations.

• We cannot prescribe it or predict it. He will simply do what is right for us.

• As you wait in the wilderness, embrace who you know God to be instead of what you think He should do.

• It will build your faith when your surroundings seem fruitless.

• As you cling to faith with all your might, your wilderness frustration will fade— making way for renewed faith.

• Can God provide for your financial ruin? Of course. Stay strong.

• Can He comfort you in a place of depression and discouragement? Of course. Hold onto hope.

• Can God work a wonder in your wilderness? Of course. Keep the faith as you wait.

• Landing: The author of Hebrews defines faith as

• Even when you cannot see a way out, faith allows you to be assured that everything will turn out just fine.

• Faith is not a thought or a feeling; it’s a lifestyle.

• Don’t let your frustration or forgetfulness uproot your faith. You may see a wilderness, but God sees a way out.

• Cling to that.

• Celebrate that.

• Find comfort in that.

• You’ll find a way out of the wilderness because God’s in the business of breakthrough.

TALK IT OUT  Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff. Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week, and what was the lowest part of your week?

Q1: What is your morning/evening routine?

Q2: What stuck out to you from this message?

Q3: God provided for Israel. Why do you think Israel still grumbled and complained?

Q4: What can you do during a wilderness season to remind yourself of God’s power and provision?

Q5: What is a place in your life where you need God to provide?

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Exodus 15

Exodus 16

Exodus 17

Exodus 18

Exodus 19

Exodus 20

Exodus 21-22

Do the following with each passage: 

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.