The story of the Israelites is recalled and referenced often. It’s a story of promise, sin, victory, rebellion and law. 

I personally have read it several times, listened to several sermons about it and have many written notes from studying it, but I was today years old when I realized the larger point of view. The view one thousand feet above ground and completely zoomed out. 

You can find the path of their journey in Numbers 33, it lists every place they came to, camped and rested at. A total of 42 places. Zooming out from those 42 places and looking high level, there are three main divisions of their journey. 

Deliverance > Wilderness > Promised Land

That was then. 

However, the life of Christians follows very closely. 

Salvation > Sanctification > Destiny (Eternal life)

This is now. 

Salvation is our exodus (deliverance) from a sinful life. Being freed from sin (sanctification) and growing spiritually in God will put us in a place we are not used (wilderness) to and do not know, but it’s in our thirst and hunger we find God. Having found him, clinging to him and obeying him we prepare for eternal life with him, our destiny a promised land. 

This story is a roadmap. 

This story is where faith meets action. 

God promised it, but you must embrace it. 

God said it, but you must go do it. 

God gave it, but you must trust him for it. 

A timeless story, a roadmap given, a choice to follow it. 

See you next week!