Worship in the Wilderness

Moved out of the only life they had ever known. Wandering into a place they had never seen.  Bruised. Beaten. Hearts bleeding.  Not only from the abuse they lived under, but also from the emotional turmoil of all they have endured.  What is a person to do when they leave what they know for the unknown?  How does one related to the One that orchestrated their departure? How does a person heal from the pain she left behind even though she carries it with her?

Worship

And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."  Exodus 3:12

As they leave their life, God knows that they will need one thing to get them through the wilderness.  A heart of worship. Granted, the Israelites weren't known for their worship! Are we not a little like them? Ok, maybe A LOT like them?

They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?  Exodus 14:11

What are you doing, God, bringing me into this situation?

The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”  Exodus 16:3 

God, I would rather die than be in this situation!

“Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” Numbers 12:2

 Why do they get the spotlight, Lord?  Aren't I important, too?? Where's my due?

They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” Numbers 21:5

Lord, You aren't providing what I need right now!  I hate this situation!

In the wilderness what a heart really needs is worship.  To focus on what God has given instead of what has been taken. Worship in the wilderness provides a way out of it. It is in giving thanks that we can walk on.  It is in gratitude that we can get up each day and travel on. A heart of bitterness is only a pit...there is no moving on when you are knee-deep in the muck and mire. To get out you must count up His gifts.