It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. – Hebrews 11:8-9 NLT
In life, we always seem to be in the middle of something. Maybe a period of sickness, financial difficulties, loneliness, homelessness, unemployment or even children’s matters.
Most of the time, God leads us out unto the other side to our healing, financial security, a good job and so on. However, there are times when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we expect. But with an assurance of His goodness and faithfulness, we know that He is working all things out for His glory and our redemption.
After the Israelites left Egypt (the land of bondage) the Lord led them into the wilderness. They were meant to spend 40 days there but ended up sojourning there for 40 years. There in the wilderness, the Israelites were “in the middle”– they had been set free from the land of bondage, heading to the promised land. And while they were there, God tried to make Himself known to them, nurturing and molding them into His Chosen people.
Just like for the Israelites, “the middle” is a place of waiting and testing which is not an easy place to be. It’s a time when we can choose to pray, praise, trust and obey. Or we can complain, grumble, rebel and disobey God, as the Israelites did sometimes.
While we are in the middle, God will use the period to teach, refine and mature us as we trust Him to have His way in us. It is not the easiest of times but in the end, it is worth it and rewarding!
We would always have “in the middle” seasons and they will vary in length and intensity depending on what God wants us to learn.
Most of all, our lives as Christians here on earth is in the middle and Abraham understood this, “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10 (NIV)
We need to let God nurture, refine and mature us for His kingdom. Like those who have gone before us, we can’t go back but move forward in faith. “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrew 11: 15 – 16 (NIV)
God has prepared that city for us too. So, let’s not dwell too much on the happenings “in the middle” but focus on what God has in store for us.
We will discuss this further in the next blog.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 