Text: Exodus 15:22-27, Exodus 16:1-36, Exodus 17:1-7, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Psalm 105:40-42
“EVERYBODY OUTSIDE,” I yelled, losing all of my carefully collected cool babysitter points in one fell swoop. The freckled brother and sister looked defeated, realizing their plan to convince me to let them sleep in the refrigerator doors had misfired.
We stood in the backyard with grass up to our ankles, my feet the only ones remaining still.
The girl’s pigtails twirled as she spread her arms and began spinning around and around in a circle. “Topsy turvy!” the boy squealed in delight, joining his sister until their knees buckled and hit the ground, their heads continuing to spin. They laughed at the dizzy, dark spots in their vision, and stood up to begin again. “You too!” they gestured.
I obliged, joining in for the sake of the thank-goodness-we’re-over-the-refrigerator incident. My arms, double the span of theirs, flung wide as I twirled around, my ponytail flapping in the wind. My knees buckled, and I stared into the same dizzy, dark spots. But it wasn’t very fun, and I didn’t want to do it again. Although it had been years since I’d worn pigtails and found joy in my own topsy turvy-ing, the resulting feeling felt strangely familiar. It was disorienting, unknown and scary, much like the wilderness.
I experience the same dizziness when I’m tossed by fear, pushed by doubt, and wrangled by sin, so I thrash for control. The Israelites did something similar, asking questions they hoped would domesticate the wild:
“What are we to drink?” (Exodus 15: 24).
“What is it?” (Exodus 16:15).
“Why did you do this?” (Exodus 17:3).
“Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7).
With no response in sight, they continued to spin aimlessly, dizzied spots masking their eyes.
As I sat in the grass watching the kids continue to twirl, I was reminded of a trick I’d learned in ballet as a little girl—spotting. In order to prevent dizziness, you choose a still object to fix your eyes on. With every turn of the pirouette, your head whips around to find your focal point, and you remain upright and dizzy-free. Reminded of this trick from childhood, I stood up, determined to try one more time. This time I glued my eyes to a nearby birdhouse as my body rotated again and again. It worked!
Moses must have known this trick, too. While the Israelites continued to whirl in the wilderness, Moses kept His eyes fixed on one thing—God. With each unsettling turn of circumstances, Moses’ knees never buckled. God’s provision kept Moses standing firm by turning water from bitter to sweet (Exodus 15:25), raining manna from heaven (Exodus 16:4), and providing drinking water from the rock of Christ (Exodus 17:6).
Moses’ determination was to remain upright in God’s promises, and he was used to fulfill the biggest one of them all—God’s holy promise to Abraham (Psalm 105:42). God established an entire nation of descendants through Moses!
Friend, do you feel dizzied by the wilderness? Today, let’s try fixing our eyes on God’s presence. Let’s choose to trade the unsteady dark spots for the clarity of His faithfulness. May our spinning be steadied by His almighty hand. Amen.
Here are the questions of the
wilderness, “What!” “Where!”
“How?” Faith has a brief but
comprehensive answer to all
the three, namely, God!
–Charles Henry Mackintosh
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62 thoughts on "God Establishes a Nation through Moses"
So good- keep my eyes on Jesus and have FAITH!
Staying focused on the Lord and try not to let my thoughts take over. Having faith in him.
Lord keep my eyes focused on you and you alone.
Praying I would keep my eyes focused on Jesus!
This encouraged me so much. My restless sleep was constantly interrupted with thoughts of my fail and the fragile lives in my hands. But His word coupled with your encouragement soothed my soul. This also reminded me of this song. http://youtu.be/_ej9T4bTAGI. Thank you.
I truly needed to read this today. I have been running around in circles dealing with work, stress and the first anniversary of the death of my Mother. I feel so worn down and I have realized just how much I need to lean on God and let him handle it all.
The middle school musical opens tomorrow and I feel dizzy. I am twirling all over the place hoping to find some sort of order and clarity by my own striving and determination. Slowing down, setting my gaze upon Jesus seems counterintuitive and yet that is my Father calls me. He longs for me to lay down the idols of perfection, order, and control. My Jesus desires that I let go and surrender to His good provision. May my heart not question my God’s sovereign faithfulness.
Amen!
This was so on point for me today. I was not going to read today’s devo, because I’m tired and I should have gone to bed already. I spent all day looking up jobs and applications, spinning and spinning around. Wondering how much longer, how many more do I have to fill out, why do people not want me, when will this all end, GOD ARE YOU STILL LISTENING? Much like the Israelites, I’ve focused on my immediate circumstances and not on the faithfulness of God and His promises. I don’t know when or how this spinning around will end, but I can be certain that He’s got a plan and a purpose for my life.
Lord, let my heart be stayed on you even as everything else around me spins out of control.
Thank you, Kaitlin for reminding me today to keep my eyes on Jesus! I’m so glad I decided to read this after all.
Your analogy of “spotting” the Lord as spotting in dance resonated with me, as a dance teacher. Not only does spotting help you from complete dizziness, the focal point guides your direction as you travel. Without “spotting” not only are you totally dizzy, but you are directionless. Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” May we focus on Jesus, the one who guides us, steadies us in our dizzy wilderness, and leads us step by step providing for us as we fix our eyes on Him!
I think she provided a great illustration for a relatable example. It was beautifully built upon the foundation of scripture. I think her theological interpretations are solid and her application is both heart-felt and accurate. I think Kaitlin did a great job and I got a ton from this! Maybe some sisters understand certain language better than others, but would not publicly deem this work non-sensical if it doesn’t make sense to only you. Lets be humble uplifters even in our constructive criticism, especially if the author is reading these comments. Kaitlin, awesome job!
Betty, this is terribly insensitive, critical and non-constructive. Kaitlin’s sole purpose was to point us to Christ. To publicly tear her down based on personal preference is unnecessary and thoughtless. Based on the replies to your comment, you seem to be alone.
God was delivering the Israelites. Saving them, giving them life every day that they were in the wilderness. But they didn’t see it because it wasn’t what they expected. So they grumbled.
How often do I find myself in this very place. Like the Israelites, I stubbornly hold tightly to my own unmet expectations and dashed hopes. Questioning. Doubting. Grumbling. Yet it is when I put my hopes in external things, in my circumstances or outcomes, that I will always be disappointed.
God is the only One I can place my hope IN for deliverance and life.
And so, I must surrender my own faulty expectations. Let them go (Hebrews 12:1). Cut them off (Matthew 18:8). No longer give them life (Ephesians 4:27). Faulty expectations can be excessively large and long-held heavy burdens. But I can give ALL of my weighty, burdening expectations to Christ and receive the promise of His rest (Matthew 11:28). The true rest my heart longs for (Psalm 62:6). Only He offers true life and everlasting hope (1 John 2:25). His promises are truly higher and incomparably greater than the false promises of my expectations (Isaiah 55:9). Focusing on Him. Trusting Him. His gifts will always be just what I need. He is all I need to be fully satisfied (Psalm 63:5) and wholly fulfilled (Psalm 145:19).
Kaitlin, thank you for your thoughts and words today!! Circumstances can often leave me feeling like I’m spinning out of control. What a great reminder to stay focused on God in the midst of the spinning (and always!) Only focusing on Him can prevent the inevitable dizziness and keep me standing firm. Praying with you: “May our spinning be steadied by His almighty hand. Amen.” Grateful for you, friend!
“The true rest my heart longs for (should be: Psalm 62:5).”
(But I love the wording from the NABRE found in Psalm 62:6)!
Thank you Kait (can I call you that?) for sharing your perspective! I seriously struggle so badly with not keeping my eyes on God. I’m looking at him, get excited and motivated, walk boldly in Christ, don’t get the gratification I was looking for (because let’s be honest, it’s SO hard not to find our self worth in other peoples’ opinion’s), take my eyes off him, get discouraged, repeat. It’s a continuous cycle for me but I am encouraged by you today! Thank you sweet friend in Christ!
Xoxo
Meg
Hi Megan,
You can absolutely call me that:)
Grateful God used these words to encourage you. Thankful for the opportunity to read Truth together!
xoxo-Kaitlin
I just read her bio and she actually has a degree in journalism and communications. Writing styles are so varied and the judgment of them quite subjective. For example, I am not a fan of William Faulkner, but so many others love his writings. Ann Voskamp is one of my favorite writers, but it took some time to get used to her poetic, free-flowing style.
Like the others have pointed out, I hope that no matter who is writing, you are able to receive a word from God. And maybe if you aren’t able to change your mind about Katilin’s writings, you could just read the Scripture passages on those days instead.
I hope this doesn’t come across as rude; tone is very hard to convey in writing. :) Anyway, I’m in a small group right now and we have been talking a lot about how our words affect others; the power of life and the power of death.
Wow. Maybe her style is silly & not your cup of tea, but the overall point seems clear. Keep your eyes on God in the midst of confusion and chaos (the wilderness) & you will remain upright… right? You get out of each devotional what you can. I’m sure she is doing her best to serve the SRT community. Your elaborate comment wasn’t necessary & genuinely makes me wonder if you are this insensitive in person.
I actually got a lot from today. I was the little girl that used to twirl around making myself dizzy. I’m not in a wilderness but I’m doubting on what to do after graduation. My plan has changed due to circumstances, and now I must sit back to reflect what to do next.
I’m sorry you feel that way about her writings but I’ve actually gotten a lot out of them. She is saying that many times we feel lost and dizzy and lose sight of God. When we don’t keep our eyes on Him, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, confused, and fall. But, if we keep our eyes locked on Him, then we are steadied. We don’t fall. We don’t get dizzy. We see Him and He keeps us upright. This devotional seriously helped bring me some clarity, so I hope that clears it up a little.
Boy, yesterday and today’s devos speak to directly to me. Just have to keep my eyes on Jesus. He will give me each day’s suspense…spiritually but also physically…
*sustenance. (I find it very difficult to comment on this site using an iPad, via the app…)
Love this, Rochelle. Thanks for joining us today!
xoxo-Kaitlin
The wildnerness has beat me up so much. Every time I take my eyes off Christ, I am overcome with despair, but just like Moses, when the opposite happens, He brings me His strength. Thank you Lord for your holy promises
http://www.in-due-time.com
Wow. God is so amazing. He is clearly speaking out to me today. I have, literally, been dealing with dizziness from a concussion for four years. This year, my junior year of highschool, I’ve been on Homebound since November. I have been trying hard to get caught up in loads of school that I’m behind on, and sometimes I just break down over all that I have to do. I know that God is using me, but I sometimes just wish that it would be over with. I understand why he put me theough this, to bring a sin to the light, but now it’s like, okay, I get it, can I get back to normal life now? But God is still continuing to teach me to trust. To just off that platform and fall into his arms and trust him in every single thing. In the midst of my dizzy wilderness, I need to focus on the one that will still me, that will make the rocking cease. Help me Lord set my sights on YOU, even when I feel like a ship in a thunderstorm. You will bring me safe to shore. Help me believe and live it.
Praying for you, Sarah. I missed much school as well due to headaches and dizziness. It can be so lonely and painful. Praying Jesus wraps His arms around you today! Keep holding tight to Him and remember that He will never waste your pain. He sees you, loves you and has not forgotten you. Xoxo
Sarah, thank you so much for sharing this with us today! He definitely used it to encourage me. Grateful for your place in our community!
xoxo-Kaitlin
The story of the manna is one of my very favorite in Scripture…. God’s supernatural provision PLUS our very natural command to gather! If you would like to read some thought on it, I would love to have you join me here: https://awordthatmatters.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/gather-the-manna/
I loved your post! Thank you for sharing!
Ok, that was a great post! Actually, I’ve loved all the ones I’ve read.
Thank you so much for sharing this today. It really spoke to me, and I jotted down a note or 2 in my journal. I’m really trying to seek out God today, and have some personal reflection time.
I have been thinking a lot about God’s provision of mana and quail to the Israelits recently– only enough for the day, but He provides each and every day. I am currently struggling with infertility. And with each failed month, God provides me the strength to get through it. But then I start to worry: what if I have to do this for another year before it works? What if it never works? And I think I don’t have the strength to get through it. And you know what? I don’t have the strength yet. Because God provides for each and every day exactly what you need for that day. I don’t have to worry about not having the strength for some possibility in the future, because God will provide when that day comes. Just like He has provided me with my mana this morning and will provide my quail for the evening. Day by day.
Sarah, I think this is something that we all have to struggle with and learn. While my story is different I still struggle with worry. I worry about tomorrow and next week and next month. I’m a planner by nature (and with that a little bit of a control freak!) so not having the answers to some life questions really stresses me out. One of the hardest things I had to learn was to give up control and just trust that God indeed does provide exactly what we need day by day, sometimes hour by hour.
I’m so glad that you seem to lean on our amazing Savior for your strength! I will be in prayer for you and your infertility journey! Keep leaning on Him and know that no matter the outcome, at the end you will look back and see Christ in every step of your journey! Blessings to you and your family. :)
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
Yes! Keep faith that the Lord’s timing will be perfect in your life, Sarah! He gives us exactly what we need every single day. The Cross is enough!
This was something I needed to read this morning, Sarah. You let the Holy Sprit speak through you and it really touched me. He is sovereign.
Sarah, I loved what you had to say today. I often find myself praying the Lord’s Prayer, that he would give me THIS day my daily bread! Just enough to make it through each day and each situation he places in front of me–no more and no less. It’s great to see the Old Testament and New Testament connection of these thoughts. ❤️
Sarah, I have been in your shoes. I, sadly, made having a child my idol. It destroyed me, my marriage, and my relationship with God. I am still married, but, they were many tears, as well as brokenness, plus therapy. Be glad that you ask God for strength and continue to do so. Have faith and trust in God that He knows what is best. Believe me, it is much easier for me to type it, because I failed at it. Blessings to you.
I can make venting a fine art form. The Scriptures and Kaitlin’s devotion convict me today that my venting is complaining, grumbling and simply not trusting that God is present, entirely aware and more than capable of providing whatever I need. Not whatever I want.. But that which He knows I need. Lord, forgive me for venting my frustrations and my impatience. Forgive me for being a spoiled brat – so terribly unattractive at my age! You have always provided. Let me learn to be content in the waiting. Today, may I count my blessings and acknowledge that they come directly from Your hand. Thank you for Your generosity. May I be generous today – in the right attitude, the right words – that all I do and say might reflect my trust in You. Amen.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Amen!
Praying right along side you Churchmouse. Amen
Thank you for sharing this, for being so honest. This can be one of the most difficult things for me to do – keeping positive when it all seems like a train wreck. I ask that God would also help me be generous today – in the right attitude, right words – that all I do and say might reflect my trust in You.
Thanks, churchmouse!
When I am venting my fiance will kindly point out when my harmless venting has turned into complaining and gossip! I am so blessed and so undeserving and it’s somehow SO easy to complain!
I love the spinning analogy, Kaitlin!!! Love, love, love!
I have a situation in my life that will cause me to feel actually dizzy. Physically spinning. Panic will strike out of nowhere. Yesterday was one of those days. A number calling on my cell phone, a text message and then a Facebook question From 3 completely different sources – who don’t know each other. But they were all connected by this one situation. Talk about dizzy spinning. Then I remembered to stop and focus on my Savior. Keep my eyes on Him. He has provided always and he will continue. Thank you, Jesus, for seeing me. In the past I’ve felt tossed and turned and guilty and ashamed. But yesterday I when the familiar feeling struck, I felt the hand of my Savior holding me steady and firm. He will never let go. His promises are true. He is a firm foundation.
Sometimes I forget to give God credit once He has provided for me. I worry and stress, pray about it, God comes through (of course… He always come through for us!) and I’m so relieved to have made it through my wilderness that I just go skipping along my merry way. I wonder how quickly the Isrealites took their manna for granted? What was at first a miraculous provision worthy of thanksgiving might have quickly become commonplace and expected. May I never forget to give God the glory, may I never cease to be amazed by His Hand in my life.
Amen! that is so true for me as well. instead of thanking God for bringing me through it’s far too easy to have the well-it’s-about-time attitude! lol aren’t we so human?!! Thanks for sharing.
Love the analogy Kaitlin! How often I’ve found myself dizzied by the wilderness. Prayerful that my focus be on Christ in all seasons. So thankful that God even sees fit to bring each of us each, even in the middle of our own wilderness, to a common place in search of closeness with Him. God is so provisional that He ensures all of our needs, even in form of community. So thankful for you my SRT family, prayerful over each of you!
It’s funny ~B, but that was my thinking too…but I thought it would sound ‘gushy’..and but in truth..I do believe SRT family is for sure a provision from the Good Lord and Father. ..so to echo ~B’s words. .thanking God for you dear Sisters..xxxxx
I agree…..God led me here, providing for me <3 love you ladies!
I too was led into this family and am so thankful for all of my SRT Sisters.
God delivered this message to me at exactly the time I need it most. Again and again He is faithful. Again and again I am spinning and dizzy. Just like the Israelites that I struggle to understand. Thank God for His constancy and love. He meets my needs even as I struggle. Thank you for the reminder.
What a cool baby sitter you are Kaitlin. ..and your illustration had me smiling….Thank you..
Talking about wildernesses, dizziness. ..and focus..ah, how guilty of the first two…am I?
I have seen the provision time and time again, and yet..
Every day the is provision of food, water, love, grace warmth, friendships, family, strength …HOPE.. and yet I still feel that ‘dizziness’ when the ‘storm’ comes..
Ah, lord help me to be a trusting child of yours, help me to walk in the light that you show me today, help me Lord to know and hold fast to you, for you are my God, my Father, my friend, praise you God, and thank you for all that You provide, for all that you give, for all that you are, for the love you have for me and for the holding on, never letting go even when I have slipped my hand out of yours, and lost my focsl point, you hold tighter, Thank you Lord God, Thank you…Amen..
Who can stop the Lord Almighty. ..Amen
Every blessing Sisters..xx
Morning T! You’ve been on my heart, hope all is well your way. Any luck with a new vehicle these days? ~ B
Morning my ~B~…how are you dear heart..and the family?
Here all is good, and all is definitely great on the vehicle front, as God provided the dream chariot. ..at the right price in the right colour!!!!
Living the dream where the car is concerned…waiting on Mr right now…lol
Miss you…but praying all is well and that God is blessing you as much as you are a blessing to me..hugs and love to the family and if course yourself. .xx
Yay! I am so happy to hear that! The right price and the right color, God is so good … He knows our needs so well and occasionally even gifts us exactly what we want for the heck of it. Love this T! Congrats!
Amen! <3
Love this and the illustration of spotting!
Thank you Kaitlin for this devotional. I loved the metaphor of the spinning and the focal point! What I also thought today while reading the bible texts is that you can see that God provided for His people in the most fundamental ways: The things they worried about were there most fundamental needs, namely hunger and thirst, and God provided water, bread and even meat (which seems like a small luxury to me). He provided more than they would need, but He asked them to trust Him that His provision would come daily. This reminded me of something Jesus says in the New Testament, in Matthew, chapter 6: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” May we trust God in everything we do and not worry about what is going to come. He has a plan, he will provide. Amen
Amen.
Yes, these verses tie in beautifully! God is so good! Thank you, Elisabeth.
I love this :) I find a similarity in my own life when God promises to provide and yet they still take more than they need. I tend to do this in my life. I worry, worry, worry…even when Christ has promised to provide for me. How many times do we ask Him for guidance in a situation and when we are told to be patient and TRUST we just can’t. We can’t just trust so we take things in our own hands! Sometimes we need the reminder that God has told us “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” aka God’s got this so chill haha Love the theme of today’s reading and this verse!
http://www.littlelightonahill.com