Devotionals

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THE SAME OLD NEW THING
(From the Paradox Series)

It seems that we are always being moved from one chapter to another. From one challenge to the next struggle. From glory to glory, if you will. Yet, true to form, those who trust in the Lord are never put to shame, never forgotten, never left orphaned. What carried us once, no longer has the strength to lift us further, so something else must take its place; but in the end we are still sustained.

For forty years manna was given to feed the Hebrews in their journey. A journey that should’ve taken about two weeks, but because of their fear, was lengthened to total four decades. Yet they were never hungry. Every morning they could walk out of their tents and bread from heaven was there-just enough to sustain every single person.

When they came to the borders of the Promised Land, the provision that had kept them alive all this time had ceased to come. But now a new way of survival was provided. They were to eat of the fruit of the land. The manna continued to provide for them till the appointed time. Till the time something better was to come. Where one stopped, something else began.

Similarly, Moses continued to lead the people up until the time Joshua was to take over. Where Moses ended, Joshua began. It was a seamless transition, ordained and orchestrated by The Almighty. Arguably Moses could’ve kept going, since Scripture said that his eyes have not grown dim, nor has strength left him. The issue had little to do with Moses’ strength or ability to lead, and everything to do with the season that was now ending, that God had so decided for him.

Likewise, it seems that Christ came at the precise time where something else was ending. Faith began where the Law had ended. Galatians chapter three points out that the Law was put in charge of us to lead us to faith in Christ; and since faith has now come, then we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

The law had its season. God designated for it a time to rule and function. After which, something else now rules us. It was yet again, another seamless transition. Just like manna and the fruits, like Moses and Joshua, it seems that seasons are a part of it all.

In our lives we see the same patterns of coming and going. The same transition is at work, moving us to next bigger thing. The next great success eclipsed by the next greater pain, only to be overshadowed by an even bigger joy. Yet behind this constant ebb and flow, stands a gigantic figure. He is the one thing that seems to thread every change together. What a spectacular picture! What a tremendous comfort!

The Lord governs, even causes, these seasons of change, yet He stands above all of it. And while He highlights these patterns and points to them with big neon signs, it is as if He is purposely drawing a very sharp contrast to Himself. In the midst of these seasons appointed for everything, He remains unmoved, unaffected, and the only constant thing.

There are variations in design, with the same purpose. Multiple pictures, same artist. Different seasons, the same God.

God Bless
March M. Villareal
[email protected]
www.manswicked.com

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