This is the faith maturation map spelled out for saved believers in the first 5 books of the Old Testament.
We all have an Egypt – a time period in our lives where we feel oppressed, used, taken for granted, reckless, victims of circumstance, held back, and the list goes on. In this space or season we do not feel God’s presence and we are not engaged in His Word. But God knows who we are and he has not forgotten us. He is both Lord over the universe, but comforts the downtrodden. Like the Jewish slaves of Egypt we live in an oppressive state – sometimes with no hope because it is just a way of life. Then something happens that causes us to realize there may be something better for us out there. For the people of Israel living in Egypt, that thing was Moses.
These are passages that, for me, engaged the feelings of redemption and of God hovering over the lost.
"I live in a high and holy place but also with him who is contrite and low in spirit." Is 57:15
"The Lord God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing."
We all have a desert – a time period in our lives when God makes his presence known, empowers us, teaches us, transforms us, cleanses us…a process of shedding the old, and being re-tooled for a renewal. In this season, we are engaged in His Word and really feel the presence of God or Jesus in our life. Sometimes life is rough in this season but this is where we know that God is hovering, and we begin to learn that his Word is nourishing (like manna). This is the time of our life where we may become members of a church, engage in a small group, get involved in some Christian relationships or activities that reshape our daily habit towards a Christian life - - it’s where we need structure to learn more, our hands need to be held in our spiritual growth, where we learn right habits through right relationships and our developing knowledge of God’s need for relationship with us and our need to rely on him. Just like when the Israelites were in the desert, they had to re-learn how to live, re-learn moral codes of conduct, learn God’s Word, and totally rely on God for nourishment, guidance and navigation.
"Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today so that you may have strength (power) to go an take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess; and so that you may live long in the land that the lord swore to your forefathers." Dt 11:8
We all have a Jordan – a time marker where we become aware of our devotion to God, and we become aware of how it separates us from the past: past relationships, past habits. We acknowledge that we are different from our non-believing friends and family but we still choose God. This is the season of a believer’s life where they read and re-read the Bible over and over again. This is a point in a saved person’s life where they realize that the relationship is about being in love with God as a result of appreciating the renewal that took place in the desert. It might also be demonstrated by faith in action, becoming a leader of a small group, becoming more involved and vocal about being Christian. It’s where you stop and stand up for Jesus and immerse yourself in the Word because you crave more relationship with our maker. Your identity with God and Christ are more valuable to you than what others think. This is where you 'get it' that your belief in God and love for Him will have eternal impact.
"Take heart to all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you. They are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing th Jordan to possess." Dt. 32:46-47
"You must not do as they do in the land of Egypt where you have been living. And you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan into which I am about to bring you." Lev. 18:3
We all have a promised land – a time where we saved believers behave in our renewed state. We are different. Our actions are different. Our behaviors are different. We are in a new place. But, we still have many sins within ourselves; we still have an environment around us filled with sin triggers (temptations). Even though we are equipped, we are still at risk of falling back to our old ways if we don’t purge the sin in us and triggers around us. This season is marked by saved believers who clean themselves up by purging sin from their own life. They don’t lecture others. They serve others. They truly try to live biblically every day. You might notice we stop cussing, slandering, gossiping, doing drugs, or drinking, or are no longer interested in gossip magazines, or don’t do porn any more…things like this. And most importantly, this process of identifying and purging sinful or self-destructive behavior is done in reliance on Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit. No other way. Through fasting, worship and prayer. And in Israel's case, Joshua and God battled all the cities purging them - it's a metaphor to the act of purging sin from our environments that God is leading us into.
"The Lord God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These 40 years the Lord your God has been with you and you have not lacked anything." Dt 2:7
"Do not be afraid of them," the LORD said to Joshua, "for I will give you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you." Jsh 10:8
"The following is a list of the kings Joshua and the Israelite armies defeated on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which leads up to Seir. (Joshua allotted this land to the tribes of Israel as their inheritance," Js 12:7
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