One of my favorite summer pastimes is going to the beach. The vastness of the ocean puts my problems in perspective and reminds me of God’s awesome power. One day a few years ago, I left my friends on the sand and went for a walk. Deep in thought, I headed down the beach. All of a sudden, it hit me that I was thirsty and needed shelter from the sun. But amid the sea of people and beach umbrellas, I couldn’t find my friends. With no cell phone or water, I continued to wander, increasingly desperate.
That incident reminded me of the Israelites wandering the desert for 40 years. Freed after centuries of brutal slavery in Egypt, they believe they’ll soon reach the Promised Land. But somewhere along the way, they turn from God and worship false idols. Hence they stay in the desert for decades.
I can’t imagine wandering for 40 years. A couple hours was more than enough for me. But we learn that while God’s time line often differs from our own, he will lead us out of the desert—if we trust him. That desert can be a hot beach, a long personal struggle, a pandemic. You might lose your way or even your faith.
But if you turn to God, he will provide—maybe not what you want but what you need. He rained manna from the sky when the Israelites were hungry; he made water gush from a rock when they were parched. Keep the faith—you’ll see God’s miracles in your life too.
For more inspiring stories, subscribe to Guideposts magazine.
