moving forward... into unknown territory...

The reading through of Exodus has me considering the fear involved in moving forward...

Forward... brings unknowns... tests... trials... and for the Israelites... going back to slavery... back to Egypt... seemed better... than freedom...

"Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."

Exodus 16:2-3 ESV

All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?" But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?"

Exodus 17:1-3 ESV

Looking back... is where paralysis... fear... takes hold... because we don't know... what comes next...

The past... its endings all neatly tied up... we've been there done that... it's familiar... known...

And I wonder about this... my mostly grown children all home for the weekend... an event that doesn't happen so often anymore...

As my children continue to make their own way... these times become more precious... because... Will there be another...? with all the dangers and unknowns in the world...? will there be another...?

But I remember... 

He is not in the past...

He is in the present...

and the future is in His hands...

Good times... or trying... familiar ground... or unknown territory... they are all a gift from Him... and the reality is... we never know what's coming... even in the most blessed and comfortable time...

Trusting Him... to lead and guide...

no matter what comes...

resting in His unfailing love...
is the only way... to move forward...

But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6

[Note: Forgot again... to put the week's readings for The Journey on Sunday's post... here they are... I'm gonna have to think of a different way...]

This week's readings for The Journey...

Monday                  Exodus 21:33 - 23:9

Tuesday                  Exodus 23:10 - 24:18

Wednesday             Exodus 25

Thursday                 Exodus 26-27

Friday                     Exodus 28