April 18, 2001

Reading: Psalm 136 ff

 

“To Him who led His people through the wilderness” (16).

 

This is a Psalm where the author reminds himself that the mercy of the Lord “endures forever.” As he tracks the history of creation and, in particular, the Children of Israel, each event is credited to God’s mercy. If you were an Egyptian you would not have considered the acts of God very merciful, “To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn” (10), and who “overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea” (15). It is very clear that the author was praising God for His mercy to Israel, God’s chosen nation. His mercy was shown, not only for the way He provided for them during their journey through the wilderness, but also for the way He protected them from their enemies.

When Jesus said, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt: 16:18), He was declaring that He was establishing a new nation, one made up of Jew and Gentile. This was to be a “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), whose citizenship is determined by their personal relationship to Jesus Christ (Eph: 2:19). By being born again (John 3:3), we become members of His kingdom, owning allegiance to Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,

Our text declares that God “led His people through the wilderness”, and, although we are a new nation, the fact that He leads and we must follow has not changed. The Holy Spirit, who inspired the writers of the scriptures, often referred to God as a Shepherd and His people as sheep. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). The mid-east shepherds still lead their sheep and this is a wonderful illustration of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leading His people.

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus developed His team of disciples by calling them to “follow Me”. Peter and Andrew were fishing when Jesus called them, “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (Matt:4:19). Matthew was busy collecting taxes, “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him” (Matt:9:9). As disciples of Jesus Christ we are called to follow Him.

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we so often forget that we are called to be followers, not leaders. Our behavior belies our true position; instead of looking to God for guidance and direction, we assume the role of leadership and defer to Him only when the decision we have made fails. Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, let Him follow Me” (John 12:26). There are times when Jesus walks down a path that we think is unadvisable, but, if we are true followers, we will follow Him by faith. We will trust Him to make the correct decisions and will follow Him without question.

During the wilderness journey, God led the Children of Israel and provided food and drink for them. He also guided them around their enemies and brought them to the Promised Land. As our Leader, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). He also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

What more can we ask of God? He has provided the Shepherd; we are to follow. He has provided the way; we are to trust. He has provided food and drink: we are to participate.

His promise to lead His people has not changed. It is our calling to follow.