Box Canyons

"Stand firm and see the Lord's salvation he will provide for you today." -Moses

It's like Lious La'mour and one of his classic westerns. The good guys slide into a canyon to escape only to discover it's a death trap. A box canyon. There's no way out. Or is there?

Well I have returned from my hiatus. There is no excuse for my absence. I simply didn't feel like doing this. And this is one of the few things in life which my feelings are allowed to dictate what I do or do not do. Frankly life has changed. In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye or should I say a conversation, the ring of the phone or being late rather than on time. There is something to be said for God. He does have a way about him. In that he knows how to make a point or gain an audience.

When Israel crossed the Red Sea there was quite an audience. This is Israel's epic event about which prophets and poets write about. It serves as a stark reminder that our God is one of promise and fulfillment. And it reads, well it reads like a La'mour western. Desert crossings and box canyons. Trapped with seemingly no escape. Yes, God had Pharoah and Israel right where he wanted them. They are the spectators and Yahweh has the lead role in this divine drama. He arrrives right on time and Israel has only to watch and wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Without doubt God wanted to make a point. He wanted Israel to see the corpses lying on the beach, bodies bobbing in the churning waters. Even if Israel wanted to go back to Egypt they couldn't (and at times they seemed to). For not only had Israel been delivered from bondage but the source of the bondage had been broken. Pharoah was dead and Egypt was crippled. Things would never be the same again. Israel would have to learn to live in the desert, the land of opportunity. The place where God provides. They ate breakfast at Pinera Bread, at night ate at KFC and got their water from the Hard Rock Cafe. God was using this box canyon experience to cultivate Israel's faith in him. It's a matter of trust. If God had saved Israel to serve him it was imperative that they trust him. A lack of trust always tarnishes service and undermines worship.

No doubt we also need our box canyon experiences. I expect we can only mature so much on someone elses experiences. Sooner or later we have to have our own close calls where God arrives. In similar fashion our sinful state is a box canyon, from which only Christ can extract us. We would do well to trust him. Sola Fide, WHB