To every pioneer in this generation
I considered again the Israelites en route to the promised land and heard their story echoing for our generation.
How often are we en route to the land of promise but too short-sighted to even see it?
How often have we grumbled and complained because the place of transition was too long, too uncomfortable, too tedious- and in doing so prolonged our own wanderings?
How slow we are to be thankful for the mercies and kindness of God who gives us provision like manna and yet it is not enough. Quick to tire and demanding more than we can handle. More. More. The flesh always demanding more. When will it learn contentment?
How often have we shrunk back because we believed the report that the giants are too big and too numerous for us, and for God? In fact how often have we been the very ones reporting to a generation that we simply cannot do it; accepting defeat even before battle, losing sight of the main things, regretting the transition, blaming God.
We live in a glory daily and yet miss it, our “shoes” do not wear out, the bread from heaven does not fail, we drink water from a rock and from the miracles at our Marah. We live with the light of His fire in our darkest hours and in the shade of His Goodness by day, yet we do not see it. We see only that we are not yet where we think we should be and our hearts melt with despair, fear and doubt so quickly.
How marvelous it would be if we could believe that He who promised it faithful and what He promises is sure.
How wonderful if instead of regret or fear, our hearts were filled with courage as we considered the pillars of fire and cloud, and we if chose not to bow to gold or momentary pleasure but to God alone.
Oh generation of pioneers do you not see that your place of transition is not a destination but only the road to promise?
Do you not perceive that His hand is on you now as surely as it will be when you “arrive” in the land of promise?
Will you not remember who He is; that His voice sounds like thunder, His hands sent lightning across the darkened skies, and His face is like the fire that filled the mountains?
Oh generation of pioneers His heart is not for the place of transition to become the wilderness deathbed of dreams. God’s heart for you is to live and thrive and come into the fullness of all He has for you. His heart is for you to inherit, to come into the promise, to live like Caleb unfailing in strength and able to take the hill country at eighty, to be courageous like Joshua whose heart was big enough to lead a nation into promise, to give you more than you could ever ask or imagine. His heart is for you to taste the sweetness of victory and know the valour of not giving up, to remember the way of courage and the bliss of thankfulness. His heart for you is to remember who you were called to be pioneering one.
