While
in my home we were not permitted to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day because of our
religious heritage, this day always stirs up memories for me. I recall my
parents were both Irish immigrants from the “old country.” Dad came over on a
boat and my mother in womb of my “Nana.” The immigration perspective was
different for Mom and Dad. Mom knew no other world than the United States. My
Dad on the other hand had made an intentional decision to leave Northern Ireland
and to make a new life in a new land. He left all he knew and most of what he
had. Marty, as Dad was called, arrived in the port of Philadelphia with all his
earthly possessions in a small steamer trunk. Walking past that much-worn trunk
residing in the corner of our spare room, I occasionally reflect on how much
faith it took for a young twenty-something to leave the familiar for the
unknown. He had no assurances, few acquaintances, little appreciation by others
of his immigrant status, and probably apprehension about this journey on which
he was embarking. Yet he forged a new life by finding a job, establishing a
family, buying a home, enlisting in the Army, fighting for his adopted nation
in World War II, returning home to pick up where left off, finishing a career,
and finally being buried beside my Mother. Never did I hear him say, “I wish I
had stayed in Ireland.” When he came to his new world and new life in the
United States he made this his home.
Leaving the known for the unknown is
not an easy journey. The Bible records the lives of many who did so. Abraham
was called by God to leave Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 12) for a nomadic life and
“By faith… went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). Joseph was
hated and sold into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37-50) and there was used of God
to rescue God’s chosen people. Moses left Egypt so he could return to Egypt to
deliver a nation from bondage and lead them to a promised land (Hebrews
11:24-29). Daniel was forced to leave Jerusalem for Babylonian captivity and
there made it his home becoming a leader under several rulers. The most amazing
of all journeys was that of Jesus, who left heaven and came to planet earth to
live among His creation and to die for sinful people (Philippians 2:5-8). His
journey had the greatest impact that went beyond a family or nation. His
journey impacted all humanity.
However, on occasion people feared
the journey before them. One such event is recorded in Deuteronomy 1. The
children of Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years because of
their rebellion. Just before they are to enter the promised land, Moses takes
this opportunity to rehearse the historical record of how the generation before
them refused (1:26) God’s command to enter the promised land (1:8). The refusal
was clearly associated with focusing upon the giants before them and the
hardship that the journey may involve (1:28).
Moses reminded this new generation of this historic rebellion and he
recalled that he had told the previous generation to journey by faith into the
land they were given recalling all that God had done for them (1:30-33). God
had miraculously delivered them from Egypt. He had wonderfully provided for
them in the wilderness. He had led them clearly in the way they should go. The key
deterrent to the obedience of that generation was, “Yet, for all that, you did
not believe the Lord your God” (1:32). People often forget the reality of God’s
past faithfulness when faced with new challenges. This leads to a failure of
faith often hindering one from following God’s direction for life.
Often people look at God the way
people are told to look at investments in stocks and bonds, “Past performance
is no guarantee of future results.” We need to view God differently. His
fulfilled promises must be remembered. His power must be considered. His
provisions must not be evaluated as amazing coincidences. His person must be
observed as loving and faithful. Our picture of God must be like that of David
in Psalm 23. He saw God as the great shepherd who provides, leads, protects,
corrects, and loves His sheep. When we lose sight of God’s character it is
difficult to journey by faith and follow the demands and directions He gives.
Perhaps that is why David challenges God’s people to “Bless the Lord, O my
soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).
Has God called us to some sort of
journey of faith? How are we responding? Perhaps all we can see are the “giants”
and the “fortified cities” that lay before us – just like the children of
Israel did. Maybe we need to change our focus and see the one who has called us
into this faith journey. Remember, what he said to his children he wanted to go
into the promised land, “Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your
God, who goes before you, he will fight for you” (1:29-30).
