Key scripture – “The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.” (Exodus 12:37-38).

Do you want to know how God prepares someone for big assignments? Look at the mission Moses was given before he lead the Israelites through the desert and you will get a good idea.

Moses was called to deliver an entire nation from slavery. The assignment was to bring six hundred thousand men, on foot, out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. In addition to all those men, there were the women and children. Talk about a big assignment! Imagine the logistics of such an endeavor.

God knew that before Moses would be able to do that He had to prepare Moses,and He did that by allowing Moses to grow up from infancy under the ways of Egypt. He learned their customs, their idols, and was a favored son of Pharaoh until God revealed his birthright.

Moses began to realize God had placed him in the court of Pharaoh but realized he was not one of them. He was being called back to his own people, however, instead of waiting on God, Moses ran ahead of God and he tried to deliver his people using the ways of Egypt, by killing an Egyptian. This was not God’s way so God banished him to the land of Midian for additional training. (Exodus 2:11-15).

God guided Moses to Midian because the Midianites were of the seed of Abraham, and retained the worship of the true God among them. God allowed Moses to learn the trade of shepherding sheep for forty years. While Moses was living in the arid dry land he learned how to move sheep around to places where water and grass could be found.

The desert was used by God as a place of preparation for one of the greatest assignments given to one man. Did you hear what I just said? The desert was the place of preparation. Moses was battle-trained in the same environment that he would spend another forty years in, in order to bring a stubborn and willful people out of slavery.

What kind of assignment is God preparing you for? Does He have you in the desert of preparation? Learn well the lessons you are there to learn, because you may find you are called to be a deliverer, just like Moses.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, give me strength, courage and wisdom while I am in this desert and You are preparing me for my assignment. Forgive me for complaining and griping about how long it is taking. I just need to wait on You and to trust You, because when You are done my righteous reward shall come forth like the dawn, my vindication like the noon day sun. I commit my way to You Lord, and I trust in You. (Psalm 37:5-6). While I am in the desert teach me how to stand still and wait on the salvation of the Lord. Father, use this desert to change me and make me more like Jesus so that I come forth as gold. I will closely follow Your ways and Your steps without turning aside. I will not depart from the commands of Your lips; I treasure the Words of Your mouth more than my daily bread.(Job 23:10-12) I give it all to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.