March 8
2014
Those Forty Years – Morning Devotions
And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.
Deuteronomy 8:3-5
Everywhere I look these days I seem to be seeing “40”. Perhaps because I’m going to hit 40 on May 30? Actually, I don’t intend to “hit” it like I’m angry or just barreling through – more like I’m going to grab it and hug it and thank the Lord for bringing me this far.
This morning I was reading in my Personalized Promise Bible for Woman – under the heading of Unconditional Love and I read the verses above.
Once again, as I always am when I read this verse, I was struck by the LOVE of Almighty God. Not only His great love but His amazing provision in even the smallest details of our lives.
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years as a result of their disobedience and grumbling and complaining before God. The wandering in the wilderness was a chastening. But in the midst of the chastening we read that God provided for all their needs. He led them, He sent manna for them to eat (a provision unknown to man before this), He continued to teach them (man shall not live my bread alone) and didn’t allow their garments or foot wear to wear out – 40 years in the desert, walking……you would think at the very least your shoes would wear out Nor did he even allow their feet to swell. I don’t know about you, but 12 hours on my feet makes them swell -I can’t imagine 40 years.
At this moment in my journey, it feels very much like I”m entering my 40th year wandering in the wilderness. But GOD……
As always He is faithful to bring a good Word in season. This morning His Word jumped off the page and embedded itself into my spirit. “remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness”
And I must and will declare the Mighty Love of the Lord these 40 years. That He has led me, taught me, fed me, carried me when I was too weary to walk, He has provided for my physical needs (especially in the days of little to no work), I’ve never gone without and have been blessed to be able to bless others as well. He has been ALL things in my life and never ceases to amaze me at His attention to the smallest details in my life. The word of encouragement at the exact moment it is needed, the blessings that seem insignificant but make your day – that breathtaking sunset at the end of a long day, the call from a friend, the homemade bread that turned out just right, the perfect cup of tea.
Have I spent time in the wilderness – more than I care to think about.
Has He ever left my side in that wilderness – NEVER!
Not only have I not gone without in the wilderness I have grown and prospered in the wilderness. I have matured as an person, as a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sibling, a friend. I have grown in relationship with my Lord and I have learned Truth. The Lord has allowed me to dance in the valleys.
And you know what happened after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness……the Promised Land.
For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.
Deuteronomy 12:11-12
For you will cross over the Jordan and go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, and you will possess it and dwell in it. And you shall be careful to observe all the statutes and judgements which I set before you today.
Deuteronomy 11:31:32
As difficult as “those 40 years” have been, I wouldn’t trade them in. God has used them for His glory and to shape and mold me into the woman I am today. His, Chosen, Loved, More Than a Conqueror, His Glory Vessel.
Are you in the midst of what feels like 40 years. Be encouraged…….take His Hand, follow His lead and He will Love you, Provide for you and bring you through. The Promised Land is in sight.