Wilderness 2 – enslaved by fear
The Israelites came to the mountain in the Sinai wilderness. After witnessing the thunder and the lightning, the smoke and the fire, the people committed themselves to God's covenant laws that Moses delivered to them. Then he disappeared into the cloud that covered the mountain whose summit flamed with the glory of the Lord.
He was gone for forty days and forty nights. It was a long time. You can almost smell the Israelites' fear. The pyrotechnic displays on Mount Sinai had left them trembling. Their leader's fate was unknown. They felt abandoned in the wilderness. And so the ill-conceived idea of the golden calf was born.
The Israelites' fear was understandable. But their response was unacceptable. Not only were they afraid, but they were also a stubborn and rebellious people. They had embarked on a journey with God. But 'journey' for the people of God wasn't a vague metaphor for the rhythms of life. It was purposeful. God had liberated them from Egypt and they were heading for the promised land. But God's intention was that they should be transformed - in journeying through the wilderness with him they were to become a different kind of people. Changed as they learnt to trust him whatever the prevailing conditions. Challenged truly to let go of their idolatry.
Fear can also enslave us. It can strengthen our ties with our idols - the things we turn to for security, for a sense of control. The things we believe will bring direction, peace, success and freedom. The things that we think will deliver well-being. The things that leave God out of the picture.
We need to recognise our fears and insecurities, and then face up to the idols that we rely on to protect us from them. Then, as we renew our promise to trust and obey God and step out with him once more, his transforming power once more works in us as we meet the challenges along the way.
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