“So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses” (Numbers 9:23 NLT).
The Israelites left Egypt as grumbling slaves, but in the wilderness they grew into an obedient army of God’s servants. Their time in the desert may have felt like punishment, but it was in fact, preparation. They could not enter the Promised Land until they learned obedience and grew in faith.
When God leads us into wilderness experiences, do not question His will. Learn to follow. The desert places can serve to teach us dependence on God alone. The school of suffering is for our sanctification, making us more like Jesus when we learn to “camp or travel at the Lord’s command.”
PRAYER: Father, we often doubt and complain in the wilderness, but teach us to trust when times are hard. And when times are good, help us to remember the lessons learned in the school of suffering. We look to You, O Lord, for direction and strength as we seek to obey You in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.