Numbers10 (Sunday)

And they moved three days' journey from the mountain of Jehovah. And the ark of the covenant of Jehovah went before them in the three days' journey, to look for a resting-place for them. And the cloud of Jehovah was upon them by day, when they pulled up stakes out of the camp.
(Num 10:33-34)

As we are writing this, Hector and I are flying to California. When we get there, we will spend most of our time in Murrieta at the Bible College. Some of you might know this, some of you might not… Murrieta is in the DESSERT! It is dry, it rarely rains, there are strange creatures called sand people that eat students! Not really, but none the less, it isn’t the kind of place you would want be alone. The Israelites were in the dessert as well, we call it the WILDERNESS. They were wandering in a dry and thirsty land, not much water, not much food. The Lord provided for them miraculously: Manna from heaven, water from a rock… they were taken care of!

In this passage we read that they finally moved on from Mount Sinai, if you remember, they have been camped there since the middle of Exodus. Notice this though… they didn’t make this decision on their own… they moved only when God went before them. His presence was represented by the Ark of the Covenant, and He went ahead of them to find a place of rest. God was going to bring them peace in the midst of the dessert. Now, if they had wandered off without God, without Him leading, guiding, and protecting them… they would be in a load of trouble! No rest, just panic! Where would they find their next meal, how would they be protected from the elements?

In the world it is the same way for us. If we wander off without the Lord, we move into a dangerous environment without proper protection. We need Jesus!

Come to me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me: for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Mat 11:28-30)

It is only Jesus that can give us rest! Here they were, marching through the dessert with a heavy load… a million people traveling together can’t be easy, I have trouble just keeping track of 20 or so of you guys! In spite of the enormity of their task, we are told that God provided them with rest… He went ahead to drive out the enemy… He came back when they stopped and took care of them. So here you are today… the world is a dessert, and living the Christian life isn’t just hard, it’s down-right impossible!!! BUT…

BUT!!!!

We have Jesus! He has promised that when we are weary (walking in the dessert???) and heavy-laden (carrying all that heavy load????) if we will simply come to Him, and take His yoke, we will find rest! Life is SO MUCH easier when it is spent in service to the Lord!

Learn from the Israelites today… Let the Lord lead your life, and you will surely experience His rest!