Travel Prayers in the Wilderness

(The book of Numbers describes a portion of the desert journey of the people of Israel. The journey onward progresses according to God’s direction. The tribes go forward in an orderly manner. The priests who carry the ark follow the pillar of a cloud. Supplication is made to God for protection in both traveling and in resting.)

It is about these two travel prayers in the wilderness we wish to focus our attention. During the Israelites’ wilderness journey the ark led the way. God determined the traveling schedule. Wherever the pillar of a cloud went, the ark followed. Thus, the ark searched for a resting place in the wilderness. By so doing, these desert dwellers were never without a guide.

Also we, both young and old, journey through the wilderness of this world. We are on our way to a never-ending eternity. This journey also continues on during our holidays. Do we, in the wilderness of this life, already have a Guide?

God’s children also, during their pilgrim’s journey, move from camp to camp. They experience that this is not the land of rest, but if they see that the Ark—God in Christ— goes ahead of them, then the desert wilderness is passable.

Whenever the ark moved forward, Moses prayed for the traveling desert dwellers. As a father he lifted up his hands towards God. “Rise up, LORD, and let Thy enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee from before Thee.” As an insignificant mortal Moses appeals upon God’s strength: “LORD, when Thou dost arise and move forward, wilt Thou also arise over us? Wilt Thou show that the ark is a symbol of Thy power? Wilt Thou be our help?” As a humble supplicant he presents unto God His own name and cause: “Wouldest Thou show us that Thy name is LORD? Are our enemies not Thy enemies? Let those that hate Thee notice so that they may flee away from Thy countenance.” The people of Israel had many enemies in the desert.

The people of Israel had many enemies in the desert. Think of the Amalekites in Rephidim who attacked them so treacherously. Presently, they will experience opposition from the Edomites who will deny them passage through their country. Sihon, the king of the Amorites, and Og, the king of Bashan, will join to do battle with them at the border of Canaan. Is this travel prayer then not necessary for the people of Israel?

We also need to learn to pray this prayer in our life. How many enemies there are who are aiming at our destruction. Satan does his utmost to carry us away to ruin. Sin tempts us and the world pulls us. That also happens during the holiday season. How necessary then for the travel prayer, “Rise up, LORD; lead us not into temptation.”

A spiritual strife begins in the life of God’s people from the moment of regeneration. The great adversary, Satan, does not cease his temptations. Add to this, flesh and the world. The defenseless warriors have to experience that in themselves they are weak and cannot exist for a moment, but in that conflict, the great Intercessor, the Greater Moses, comes to help them. He lives to always pray for His people— people who have no strength in themselves. He lifts His raised hands towards the Father. Therefore, those powerless people in Christ are more than conquerors. Is that not a comfort?

Prayer is necessary not only when traveling but also when resting in the wilderness. When the ark paused and the people encamped, prayer was raised again. Moses lifted his eyes upward: “Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.” It is his sincere desire, “May we, by the descending of the pillar of a cloud and the resting of the ark, experience Thy nearness? If we remain here, wilt Thou also remain here? We cannot go up without Thy protection.” The dangers for a resting people are not fewer than when they travel. Enemies are not only outside the camp but also within the camp. We read of discontentment about the manna and of rebellion against Moses’ lawful authority. There is unbelief and hardness of heart, lewdness, and corruption, and that is why, when resting, the prayer, “Return, O LORD,” is so urgently necessary.

Periods of rest are dangerous times. That also applies to holidays; it appears that the rules are then often slackened. Let it, therefore, especially be our prayer, “Lord, protect us also when we are resting.” God’s children know that a rest period can be full of dangers. David, during a period of rest, fell deeply into sin. That is why God’s child continually has need of that great Intercessor who prays, “Holy Father, keep through Thine own name.” Moses asks the Lord to return to the many thousands of Israel. Countless people are helpless if God does not protect them. Matthew Henry says, “These thousands are zeroes, God is the number. Without the number One, all the zeroes have no meaning.”

Therefore, without that one God, the Israelites are nothing. Israel experienced this when resting at the borders of Moab. The lying prophet Balaam was hired to curse the Israelites, but he could only bless them. The Lord places His protecting hand upon His people. Nothing can harm them. Our life’s journey is a safe one only if we may dwell under God’s guidance.

The big question for all of us is: are we a subject of the Lord, or are we a subject of God’s adversaries? Beseech the Lord to change us from an enemy to be a friend. There is still room by the many thousands of His people Israel. These travel prayers are indispensable during the pilgrim’s journey of God’s children. For these defenseless people in the wilderness, in spite of all strife and impossibilities, these words apply:

From strength to strength Thy children dear

Go forward, till they all appear

In Zion’s courts, God’s holy mountain.

Because that great Intercessor lives! p

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