Sometimes we’re in the Land Between a very long time and just aren’t prepared for how long: your rebellious child left home and it’s been two years; your infertility has lasted three years; it’s been four years and your company hasn’t recovered from the lawsuit.
Israel was in the Land Between forty years, a long time to wander only eating manna. They took it out on their leader, Moses, complaining day after day. Moses, who we think of as unshakable, had a moment where he lost it and told God, “. . . please go ahead and kill me” (Numbers 11.15). The Land Between is fertile ground for meltdown.
And, Moses isn’t the only one. Being physically and emotionally exhausted, the great prophet Elijah also said to God, “I have had enough,. . . take my life…” (1 Kings 19.4). Naomi, grieving for her husband and sons, asks to be called “Mara” (Bitter) because “the Almighty has made my life very bitter” (Ruth1.20). Even King David writes in anguish, “Oh that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest” (Psalm 55.6).
God understands our emotions and wants to help when we’re exhausted. Today as you lift your hands to pray, say these verses David wrote in Psalm 27.13-14 NASB), “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”
