SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 11
REFLECTION: The desert of Zin lies to the south of Israel, south-west of the Dead Sea, and is also called the desert of Sin and wilderness of Kadesh in the Old Testament. It is a part of the Negev desert (‘Negev’ in Hebrew means ‘dry land’), and is the area in which the T.E. Lawrence (‘Lawrence of Arabia’) carried out a military survey prior to being drafted into the British army early in the First World War.
It is a barren and hostile place, comprised of sedimentary rock and layers of granite. Less than 20cm of rain falls annually (the average for London is 58cm), and little grows apart from at some oases where water can be found (see Eschol – Numbers 13). The only plants which can survive are those which thrive on the salty water deep underground, such as Tamarisk and the Salt bush. There is, however, a surprising amount of wildlife – from camels and ibex, to lizards and rats. Vultures are also often seen circling overhead.
Moses led the people of Israel through the desert of Zin on their way to the promised land. It was here that, in response to their doubting and grumbling, he struck the rock when told by God to speak to it (Numbers 20:1-13). As a result, he was not permitted to enter the land.
I visited the desert of Zin very early one morning, and it is a truly beautiful place in which to spend time before the heat of the day. But the thought of living there in tents - as did the Israelites travelling through and the Bedouin people still do today, searching for grazing land, water and food - is not in the least attractive.
For the Christian, life in this world is always a journey – pilgrims travelling through the desert to the land of promise – heaven. Hebrews 11 shows us that those God-fearing people of the Old Testament listed were looking on to a better place, whilst enduring hardship in this life. We know that there is nothing in this world which can bring eternal happiness or satisfaction, and so we travel on, thanking God for his daily blessings, and anticipating our arrival in His eternal house (John 14:1-3).-
I sense that attitudes have changed in this second period of lockdown. In the spring, we ‘knuckled down,’ adapted, got on with it, found things to do (clean the cupboards, diy, crafts, etc.), and maybe even found it an exciting adventure. Now we find it restrictive, tedious and maybe even depressing, and we worry about the future. ‘Will I ever be able to [work/holiday/travel/hug] again.’
Remember that whatever happens in this world, nothing can touch that certain hope of heaven, because it is anchored in God, not the changing circumstances of this world.
PRAYER:
An ancient prayer of pilgrimage which I have adapted:
“O God, who brought your servant Abraham out of the land of the Chaldean’s, protecting him in his wanderings; Who guided the Hebrew people across the desert - we ask that you watch over us, your servants, as we walk the journey of life in the love of your name. Be for us our companion on the walk, our guide at the crossroads, our breath in our weariness, our protection in danger, our shade in the heat, our light in the darkness, our consolation in our discouragements, and our strength in our intentions. So that with your guidance we may arrive safe and sound at the end of the road, enriched with grace and virtue and filled with joy. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
SONGS:
He who would valiant be - John Bunyan’s great hymn
There is a higher throne - Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
What can you give thanks to God for today?
What worries and fears can you lay at His feet today?
Who do you know who needs a word of encouragement?