Tag: 1st Peter 5:5-7
Moses: BSDD (Back Side of Desert Degree)
Scripture reading for January 20: Exodus 3-6
One of my brothers is a law professor. He went to 4 years of college and over 5 years of post-graduate study for his degree. My other brother is a surgeon. He went to 4 years of college and 7 more years of graduate study for his degree. God’s ‘graduate school’ sometimes takes 40 years to get the degree. Some of us are in class right now and we think God has left us as a perpetual student (or maybe in the dunce chair). But He is working with us just like with our forefather, Moses.
Moses was picked by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. He knew of this early in his miraculous life. First, the Hebrew midwives spared his life; they feared God and hid him. Then God showed his parents a plan to save Moses’ life. He was placed in a basket and released in the Nile river. Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing just downstream. She “found” Moses, named him and paid his own mother and sister to raise him. God’s sense of humor in action!
Moses had an unusual life. He grew up in Pharaoh’s household and was taught in Egypt’s schools. At 40 years of age, he tried to protect his Israelite brothers by killing an Egyptian who was mistreating them and ended up in the back side of the desert, a wanted man. He went from a prince in Pharaoh’s household to a fugitive wanted for murder in a story as bizarre as Joseph’s in Genesis. Sometimes we think we know God’s plan and we end up in the back side of the desert. Life takes strange turns. Stuff happens! “Where is God now?” we ask. We get involved in life again where we find ourselves, but wonder what went wrong. Ever been there?
God’s delays and detours are for His purposes and our preparation. When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush in the desert 40 years later, Moses was called to take off his shoes and then go and deliver God’s people from slavery in Egypt. Moses wisely took off his shoes but made excuses about going. God met Moses and answered each excuse. Moses is said to be the most “meek” of men. (Numbers 12:3) God honors humility and brokenness. Moses, after 40 years in the desert university, has learned a valuable lesson. He can’t do anything on his own! He needs God at each turn. You might say that Moses graduated with his BSDD! He passed the exam and was ready for his assignment!
Are you in the School of the Desert? Are you open to learn humility and brokenness? What area of your life needs the most help right now? Submit it to the Lord and wait patiently on Him. He will help you pass the course! He’s preparing you for your assignment too.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1st Peter 5:5-7