Daily devotion – Let us learn the lesson.
Learning from Those Who Went Before Us
As we draw toward the close of our study in Exodus, the children of Israel are constructing the Tabernacle, preparing to leave Mount Sinai and begin their journey toward the Promised Land. It has been a messy beginning—a journey marked by great highs and painful lows, obedience and rebellion, miracles and murmuring.
Yet before anything of lasting value can be built, the right foundations must first be laid.
The generation Moses led out of Egypt had witnessed some of the greatest miracles in history. They saw God divide the Red Sea, provide water from the rock, give them manna from heaven and reveal His presence at Mount Sinai. Yet despite all they had seen, many hardened their hearts, complained against God and refused to trust His promises.
Because of their unbelief and disobedience, that generation would spend forty years wandering in the wilderness. They would not enter the Promised Land. Instead, a new generation would eventually cross the Jordan and enter the land flowing with milk and honey.
The writer of Hebrews gives us a sobering warning from their experience:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
—Hebrews 3:7–8
Then we are told:
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.”
—Hebrews 3:12
The lesson is clear: learn from those who went before us.
The heart of the problem is often the problem of the heart. We can allow disappointment, difficulty, temptation or sin to slowly harden our hearts toward God. We can hear His Word without obeying it, experience His blessings without trusting Him, and witness His faithfulness yet still choose our own way.
The Bible also warns that in the Last Days many will depart from the truth, being deceived by the lies of the enemy and embracing a self-serving form of religion rather than genuine faith in Christ.
Jesus gave us a very different call:
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
—Matthew 16:24
Following Jesus is not about choosing the easiest path. It is about surrender, obedience and faithfulness.
A whole generation experienced God’s deliverance from Egypt but wasted much of their lives wandering in the wilderness because they would not trust and obey Him.
Let us learn from their example.
We don’t want to spend our lives wandering in the wilderness when God has called us to walk with Him.
Whatever season we may be facing today, let us keep our hearts soft toward God, remain faithful to His Word, encourage one another and continue to follow Christ.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
—James 4:8
Lord, help us learn from those who have gone before us. Keep our hearts from becoming hardened through unbelief, disappointment or sin. Give us grace to trust Your Word, obey Your voice and faithfully follow Jesus each day. May we not waste the opportunities You have given us, but walk continually in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.