Divine Detoursናሙና

Longing for the Past

When reading the story of Israel, we are often shocked by the number of times that the Israelites rebelled against God and prolonged their time in the desert. We may ask ourselves: “How could they be so rebellious?” The truth is, we often behave in the same way.

In this plan, we have been learning a lot about those unanticipated detours that occur in our lives on a day-to-day basis; those sudden changes or interruptions to our plans. This is exactly what the Israelites experienced. We read in Numbers 20:21, “Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.” This was an unexpected detour that caused Israel to change their plans.

Sometimes it is best for God to interrupt our agenda and change it completely.

The detour that Israel had to take because of Edom was long and tedious. The Israelites’ impatience led them to complain and speak against God and Moses. However, the problem here wasn’t that Israel grew impatient or complained, it was that their hearts remained in Egypt. They could not keep themselves from looking back and yearning for the past.

Sometimes our spiritual growth and trust in God are stalled by our yearning for the past.

Constantly looking to the past will always lead us to complain and become discouraged when our lives take an unexpected turn. The Israelites longed for their life of slavery in Egypt any time they experienced complications in their journey. Slavery was more desirable than the unknown. This mentality would not allow Israel to advance on their way to the promised land. The Israelites escaped Egypt in one day, but it took 40 years to remove Egypt from Israel.

Keep your focus on what is ahead of you and let go of the past that wants to keep you enslaved. Whether it’s a past relationship, job, person, or country, leave it behind you and progress toward God’s promise for you.

Pray with me: “Lord, I ask that you remove the spirit of Egypt that resides in my heart. Help me turn away from my past, that I may look ahead toward the plans YOU have for my life. I leave my future in your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.”