The Audacity of FaithSample

Faith, Memories and the Promised Land

"And they said to each other, we should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Num 14:4

At the age of 13, a child's worldview is already fully formed; they have a sense and perception of right and wrong based on observation and parental guidance. For context, the Israelites have been held captive for 430 years. Their realities, beliefs and experiences are within the frame of oppression, mistreatment and suffering. How they see the world and their understanding of god is predominantly based on what they've observed from the Egyptians, and by the time Moses showed up to rescue them, the damage had been done.

The plagues and all of Moses's miracles were not only for Pharaoh to let the people go but to psychologically set in motion a thought process for the Israelites that there is still a god out there, more powerful than the ones they've seen in Egypt. It will take more than words for the captives to overwrite a conditioning of 430 years of oppressive living.

The plague was a punishment for the Egyptians but also a tool of mental liberation for the Israelites. They needed to see the plagues to believe in Moses and his god. This precedence, however, will later become a problem as they will have to keep depending on miracles to believe. It played out later in the wilderness.

The idea of faith for the Israelites is still a new concept; they are not used to such jargon. They do not need faith in Egypt because their slave master provides their basic necessities. Even though the expression of their freedom is subject to the approval of the Egyptians, they have consciously or unconsciously adjusted to it.

As they journey through the wilderness, the memory of their past is so strong for Faith to take hold. The evil they know seems better than the promise they have not seen. Sometimes, when the promises of God seem far-fetched or out of reach, we return to past inconveniences, lifestyles, and patterns because of the security or sense of safety they provide. It could be an abusive relationship, a toxic work environment, or friends with bad or negative influence.

We are not too different from the Israelites. As we pursue the promises of God, we all have a threshold of tolerance. However, in difficult seasons, the Holy Spirit strengthens us to endure more than our natural ability. At the slightest inconvenience, and on several occasions, the Israelites will say to Moses, "Take us back to Egypt."

Though they left Egypt, but Egypt never left them. Though they are now free, but their mind is not. There were many miracles enough to convince them to change their heart and put their faith in God, but all to no avail. The hope of obtaining a Promised Land covenanted to their father, Abram, and the memories and beliefs they have to overwrite to receive this promise, was a real battle.

When bad experiences are connected with strong emotions, we often struggle to have faith in those areas. A child raised in poverty and insufficiency may grow up struggling to trust God with his finances. A man or a woman coming out of an abusive relationship may struggle with trust issues.

Are there any memories holding you back? Take it to God in prayer. Have faith and trust God for a new beginning.