Scripture: Numbers 20:1
In the first month the whole Israelite communnity arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
This may seem somewhat of a strange passage of the Scripture from which to draw an encouraging or motivational devotional... but I suggest to you that there is more here than initially meets the eye. Let's dig a bit into the history of this passage.
The scene is this... it is about 37 years after the original spy mission was led into the "promised land" by Joshua and Caleb and the others, and 40 years after Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. Most of the people who were enslaved in Egypt had already died, and the majority of them blamed Moses for the wandering in the desert, forgetting that it was the disobedience of their own parents that caused the delay in entering the land flowing with milk and honey.
Miriam, Moses and Aaron's sister had passed away, and the scene was now being set for the Israelites to move into their inheritance. Not all had yet been done, but there they were, back at Kadesh, on the edge of all that God had promised, and it was very symbolic of a fresh start - a new beginning.
I just returned from a six week tour of America, during which we saw hundreds upon hundreds of children and adults alike respond to the truth of the Gospel. I began to reflect upon all that we experienced, and the thought occured to me... these people are all starting over. No matter what the Lord was doing in their life... it was a brand new thing... and it represented a new beginning.
Just as with the Isrealites, we all come to those places where we come to the fork in the road, and we are compelled to make a decision. Based upon the choices we make, we either wander some more in the desert, or we start anew, and move into all that God has for us.
What starting places can you recognize in your own life? Where can you clearly see God's hand leading you to that fork in the road... and did you make the right choice? It's not too late to start again. God is gracious and merciful... and for that I am ever thankful. Isn't it time to own up to the responsibility that is ours, and then start over with the Lord?
Copyright © 1996 Eric S. Reamer, all rights reserved