Based on the book, The Land Between by Jeff Manion, we are beginning a March 2013 Preaching Series by the same title. In his book, Manion uses the Israelite people as an example of what the Land Between is all about. In Exodus 3:8 God tells Moses that His people, will come up out of the Slavery in Egypt and they will go to a spacious land flowing with milk and honey. We know from Biblical account that before entering the promised land they wandered in the wilderness 40 years. They doubted Moses Leadership and they had struggles with him. The people quickly forgot about God’s provision, protection and presence with them. They whined and complained as they traveled the Land Between slavery and promise. God parted the Red Sea, provided water in the desert, and provided food called Manna, which means, “What is it?”
Similarly we too have the land between thrust upon us at various times in our lives. We leave the predictable land of Egypt and begin a journey in the unpredictable Land Between. When we hear words like, You have Cancer,” our life of routine becomes history and we begin to travel a difficult land between. It is a place where we have not traveled before. It is nothing like it was before, it is not a path we would have chosen, we sometimes feel abandoned by God and our days are filled with doctor’s appointments, hospital tests, and maybe surgery, radiation and chemo. We might grumble and complain instead of trusting God and obeying Him. Similar land between journeys might include an eviction notice, loss of job, the death of a loved one or the awful rebellion of a son or daughter, etc. We soon get weary traveling the Land Between but it is a path that we all must travel. It is a time when we can run to or run from God. It is a time to trust but some choose to curse. It is a time to obey and take one day at a time but some rebel or give up or try to run away. God uses the land between to prepare us for what is ahead. He did that with the slaves of Egypt. The land between took the Egypt out of His people so they could possess the land of promise. Trust and Obey is all through the Bible and it serves as an example for us to trust and obey even through the most difficult of times. If there is another word that seems to be inferred with the Land Between Stories it is to rely on God.
If you are on a journey in the Land Between. Tell me your story and give me the privilege of praying for you.
Pastor Bill