Exodus 15:27
“Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.”
The phrase “beside the waters” reminds me of the 23rd Psalm: “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;” That is exactly what God is doing with them, shepherding. He brings them at a pace that is tolerable. I’ve seen westerns inwhich cattle were brought through waterless places. Many got sick and died. God’s pace never pushes too hard. This doesn’t mean their faith won’t be tested. They will get anxious again.
One day God will allow us to look back and answer the “why” questions. From our limited perspective, we don’t understand why we had to endure something. That being said, some of our problems are of our doing. If we were walking obediantly, we wouldn’t have experienced many bad things. Yes, God have the ability to override our free will, but that’s not how it works. He doesn’t force us to obey. Some things are His will. 2 Corinthians 1:4 gives one reason we enter difficulties, “who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” God loves us and brings us comfort. We have the priviledge of comforting others.
The Hebrews needed rest. The above passage says, “He restores my soul.” That’s what this time was about. The wilderness experience was a large-scale example for all of us to learn from. He will give us the restoration when we need it.
Lord, thank You for Your guidance. Thank You for the times of restoration.