SURVIVE & PRESS ON
READ: Exodus 15:22-27
For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
Numbers 26:65
Many of the Israelites launched out on the great adventure of following the Lord. Few of them actually made it to the end of the ministry. Most of the Israelites died in the wilderness. Most ministers perish in the wilderness of ministry and never make it to the heights they were originally called to.
Few survive in the wilderness because of the bitterness of life. God will lead you to a bitter pool! It was not the devil who led them to the bitter pool! Indeed, there are many bitter experiences awaiting you in the ministry. When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, He led them straight to the waters of Marah. The waters of Marah were bitter waters. Marah was a great test to the children of Israel. Marah will be a test for you too!
Few are chosen because when they get to the bitter waters, their complaining, disloyal spirit is exposed. The fact that you cannot endure a little bitterness, a little sadness and a little disappointment reveals how shallow you are.
God has great things in store for you. You must accept the fact that on the journey to ministry, one of the very first stops is the bitter waters of Marah. It is at the bitter waters that a whole lot of people fall away. Do not fall away because of the bitterness that you experience in ministry. God loves you and He knows why He is bringing you to a place of bitterness.
Dear friends, do not allow the bitter waters that God has led you to, turn your heart against the Almighty God. Bitterness will be part of the high calling. You must survive this and go on, and you will become one of the few that are chosen.