The Plains of Moab

It has been 40 years of desert wandering, and now the children of Israel are camped in the plains of Moab. God tells Moses to go stand on the top of Mount Nebo and look out at all the boarders of the land he will give to the Israelites. “Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo . . . and the Lord showed him all the land . . .” (Deut 34:1).

As I pass my street I realize that I have no idea where I’m going. I keep driving and see Gibsons, the beautiful landscape of mountains, ocean, and trees and I’m lost in my surroundings. I soon realize that I’m now completely lost in thought, but I’m sure enjoying the journey.

“Get lost in the back roads of your heart.”

“What Lord?”

“You can pray for me to expand your boarders, but why don’t you go exploring to see what those boarders are – get lost in the back roads of your heart. Stand on a mountain and look out at all I’ve given you.”

As tears streak down my face I pull off into a small park. I sit in my car in the parking lot and hurriedly write everything the Lord brings to my mind – dreams so big I feel I can’t even articulate them.

I can picture Moses as he stands on the Mount Nebo, the promise land in sight. He looks down at his clothes – they’re the same ones he wore the day he left Egypt 40 years ago. He was already 80 when the Red Sea parted, when the manna first fell and God began to lead them by pillars of clouds and fire. Even in the dessert time, his sandals have never worn out, and he’s been fed and provided for every day. He stands in awe of the Lord’s faithfulness – Jehovah Jira – my provider.

I sit here in my car and think back over the last several years – remembering how faithful God has been. Even in the dry times of family problems, depression, and difficult relationships – He was always there. But now He’s showing me that on the horizon there is something more, the promise land looms ahead.

Oh what a wonderful sight it is, a rich and fertile land of blessing, promise and dreams. There’s just one problem – the Israelites are still on the wrong side of the Jordan River. “The plains of Moab, on this side of the Jordan, across from Jericho” (Josh 13:32).

That means they still have to cross the Jordan River and defeat the city of Jericho before they can even begin to inherit the promise land. Jesus tells us to count the cost before embarking on a great project, less we quit part way through and look like a fool.

As I look at the dreams in my heart I realize they will all have a cost. There will be many battles ahead, and the promise land will have to be fought for. But I can’t stay on this mountain forever – behind me is the dessert, in front of me the promise land. I choose to go forward. It’s almost time to leave the plains of Moab and cross the Jordan.

~adapted from a piece by Kristen D'Arpa