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March 31, 2019
“9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day. 10 ¶ Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. 11 And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. 12 Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.” (Joshua 5:9-12 NKJV)


How should we prepare for a long journey? Lent is not only a long journey but if properly done can bring weariness to our body, spirit and soul. How do we prepare and provide for this journey?


The journey of lent can never begin without God setting us free from our enslavement to our “old” life. We not only must seek forgiveness for our sin but to seek for God to change us. Then we are able to see God's provision even when we walk in disobedience in the wilderness of life.


Israel celebrated the Passover at Gilgal which is an ancient Hebrew word that means Abaddon which is another name for Satan and destruction. Here we see what David would share in Psalm 23 that we would dine before our enemies!


No longer would they eat Manna but eat the abundant food of the promised land. They had come from slavery to freedom and from death to life! They could eat the food of freedom and life on the place of slavery and death!


It is not that God quit providing for them but God gave them a better food, a more nutritious food. God took Israel from slavery to freedom in a land God provided for

them.


God led them through the wilderness to help them discover the responsibility which comes with freedom to prepare them for their new life. Every step of the way God was preparing them for the new land and the new life they were being offered by God.


Where are you in your journey as we prepare for Lent? Is this an exciting time preparing for the conquering of death and the resurrection of life? Is this a time extreme excitement or a time you wonder why others are so excited?


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