Journey through Life
Our Earthly Journey with Jesus Paralleled with Israel’s Wilderness Journey with God
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Devotional 15
Israel’s Wilderness Journey with God (God Used a Tree to Draw Israel to Himself)
So, Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. —Exodus 15:25a
The word show means “instructing or directing/pointing out.” God began instructing, guiding, and directing the Israelites in their walk on this new journey. Though they failed the first test, God in His mercy forgave them and showed (pointed out to) Moses a tree to make the water sweet. The bitter water symbolized the bitterness of their lives and showed them their unbelief and sin. God drew them to drink by sweetening that bitter water with the tree so they could freely experience/drink His love, mercy, and forgiveness as He led them on this new journey from bondage of Egypt to His freedom in Canaan.
Our Earthly Journey with Jesus (God Uses a Tree/Cross to Draw Us to Jesus)
[Jesus said], “My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your Name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” … Jesus … said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples [nations] to Myself.” —John 12:27–33
The Father glorified His name by pointing out our remedy for sin, Jesus, who as God/man perfectly passed the test. God cast the sin that was in us on Jesus, who took on Himself our bitterness—sin, on another tree—the cross. Because He suffered the bitterness of our sins by His death on the cross, Jesus drew us and all nations—not just the Israelites—to Himself. He drew us to freely drink the sweetness of new life by showing us mercy, forgiving our sins, and making us right with God for all eternity.
What about You?
To draw means “to move by love.” God is moved by His love for you and draws/moves you to love Him. When you cry out to the Lord, He hears you by showing you His love through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The purpose of Christ’s death on the cross was to pay for your sins so you could freely drink His love and mercy. By the tree (cross), all those who are drawn by love to Him are shown grace and mercy and are forgiven. They end their old life of sin and are given a new life devoted to Jesus.
Prayer
Father in heaven, though we fail so often in our walk with You, dealing daily with the bitterness of sin in our lives and complaining about the circumstances we find ourselves in, You still draw us back with Your grace, love, and mercy through the cross of Jesus. May we show that same love and mercy to a world that needs to be drawn to You for salvation and to others who are already in Christ and need to be drawn closer and closer to You by Your Word of instruction, freely letting them drink the Water of Life—Jesus. Thank You for quenching our thirst through the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Verse of the Week/Day
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him [anyone] who hears say, “Come!” And let him [anyone] who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him [them] take the water of life freely. —Revelation 22:17
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Father in heaven, through the Holy Spirit, You have faithfully kept Your promise and have carried us all the way through our journey of life with You. We owe all our life, love, obedience, and thanksgiving to You. In the glorious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray, amen.
It was while reading the gospel of John that Randy Christianson first began to see parallels between Moses’ and Israel’s wilderness journey with God and our own journey in this world with Jesus.
Journey through Life is a volume of fifty-two devotions that explore the resemblances of Israel’s journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom (abundant life) in Canaan and our journey from slavery of sin to freedom (abundant life) in Christ.
Each devotion is divided into five sections that include a word or words whose meanings arise from a biblical perspective and end with a prayer and a verse of the week or day that summarizes the devotional.
Throughout his devotions, Christianson reminds those belonging to Christ and spiritual seekers that God is faithful and never forsakes those who are in Christ, despite our daily struggle with sin.
About the Author
Randy A. Christianson is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor who has led and taught Bible studies for over thirty years. When he is not writing Christ-centered devotionals, Randy enjoys spending time with his family and gardening.