After Moses received the promise of the Promised land, the process of entering the promise began. The Israelites left Egypt, while still on their way to the promise land, they soon discover that the enemy, the Egyptians, they’ve just been freed from, is now chasing after them. They are confronted with a dilemma – the sea in front of them and the enemy behind them. What now? Where’s the God of the promise now? How are they going to get through this. Will they have to go back into slavery? Just when they think they are freed from their oppressors they are behind them. Moses called on the Lord and the Lord open the sea for them.
Exodus 14:30-31(MSG) But the Israelites walked right through the middle of the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall to the right and to the left. GOD delivered Israel that day from the oppression of the Egyptians. And Israel looked at the Egyptian dead, washed up on the shore of the sea, and realized the tremendous power that GOD brought against the Egyptians. The people were in reverent awe before GOD and trusted in GOD and his servant Moses.
Again and again, you can hear the cry of our hearts through the psalmist, king David, as he says: “How long, O Lord?” “When will you answer my cry?” “Why must I wait so long for your promise to be fulfilled?” We can all identify with those words.
Psalm 13:1-6(MSG) Long enough, GOD – you’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of your head long enough. Long enough I’ve carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me. Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, So no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face. I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms – I’m celebrating your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers.
The good news is you will make it through to the other side and you can embrace your obstacles with fresh hope and perspective. Not only will you survive the seasons between promise and fulfilment, but you can thrive in them.
The time between the promise and fulfilment is a time of preparation for us. Many live with a sense of destiny and promise but struggle to see how it can be fulfilled in the light of their present circumstances. That can be a frustrating situation, especially when they see how God is already moving in the lives of others. It invites all sorts of questions: Why not me? I know God has called me to greater things, so why do I feel stuck where I am? What am I doing wrong? When will God fulfil the promises, He gave me?
This is a very common experience, and it can be disorienting if we don’t understand what God is doing or know how to respond to it. Some people call it a wilderness, and for good reason. Like Joseph in Egypt, the Israelites on their way to the Promised land, David in exile, and many others mentioned in Scripture, we are in the midst of a process between calling and fulfilment. Through their experiences we are able to take hope in the truth that God will also bring us through whatever situation we may find ourselves in.