Remember the Journey
Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the Lord. And these are their journeys according to their starting points: ~ Numbers 33:2
Have you ever looked back on your life and wondered why God allowed certain things to take as long as they did, or why the road felt so winding when you trusted Him? Today’s scripture reading is a detailed record of Israel’s journey, step by step, place by place. It reminds me that God was paying attention to every move, even when the people did not always understand where they were or why they were there. This chapter speaks powerfully to God’s people today who are walking by faith in a world that values speed, shortcuts, and instant results.
The journey listed in this chapter shows us that God is intentional in every season, so these three truths can help anchor our heart as we keep moving forward with Him.
1. God remembers every step, even the hard ones.
Israel’s journey was written down, not just the victories, but every camp and every stop along the way. Nothing was wasted or forgotten.
Acknowledge that even difficult or confusing times in your journey are part of God’s care over your life. Thank Him for carrying you through places you did not choose, trusting that He is still working through them.
2. Progress with God is often made one step at a time.
The chapter shows movement from place to place, not one giant leap into the promise. Growth happened gradually as they obeyed and moved when God said to move.
Focus on receiving and following God’s direction in the next right step instead of worrying about the entire future. Choose faithfulness today, whether that looks like staying committed, forgiving someone, or continuing when you feel tired.
3. God calls you forward without forgetting where you have been.
Israel was reminded of where they had come from as they prepared to settle the land ahead. Remembering the journey strengthened their understanding of God’s faithfulness.
Look back and notice how God has already carried you through past challenges. Let those reminders build confidence to trust Him with what lies ahead.
I have seen this truth in my own life. There have been many times where I questioned why progress felt slow or why I had to walk through certain places at all. Over time, I realized that God was marking each step, even when I was only aware of the struggles. Looking back on my journey, I can see how each step shaped the person I have become today and prepared me with endurance, humility, and trust that I could not have gained any other way. God was faithful in every stage and walked right with me every step of the way.
Today I want to encourage you to trust that God is present in every step of your journey, not only the moments that feel successful or clear. He sees where you have been, He knows where you are now, and He is faithfully leading you forward with purpose and care, strategically placing you to make a great impact in the world around you.
Today’s scripture reading: Numbers 33
1 These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.
2 Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the Lord. And these are their journeys according to their starting points:
3 They departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians.
4 For the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had killed among them. Also on their gods the Lord had executed judgments.
5 Then the children of Israel moved from Rameses and camped at Succoth.
6 They departed from Succoth and camped at Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness.
7 They moved from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, which is east of Baal Zephon; and they camped near Migdol.
8 They departed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, went three days’ journey in the Wilderness of Etham, and camped at Marah.
9 They moved from Marah and came to Elim. At Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there.
10 They moved from Elim and camped by the Red Sea.
11 They moved from the Red Sea and camped in the Wilderness of Sin.
12 They journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah.
13 They departed from Dophkah and camped at Alush.
14 They moved from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.
15 They departed from Rephidim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai.
16 They moved from the Wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah.
17 They departed from Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.
18 They departed from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.
19 They departed from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez.
20 They departed from Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah.
21 They moved from Libnah and camped at Rissah.
22 They journeyed from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah.
23 They went from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher.
24 They moved from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah.
25 They moved from Haradah and camped at Makheloth.
26 They moved from Makheloth and camped at Tahath.
27 They departed from Tahath and camped at Terah.
28 They moved from Terah and camped at Mithkah.
29 They went from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.
30 They departed from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth.
31 They departed from Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan.
32 They moved from Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Hagidgad.
33 They went from Hor Hagidgad and camped at Jotbathah.
34 They moved from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.
35 They departed from Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber.
36 They moved from Ezion Geber and camped in the Wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh.
37 They moved from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the boundary of the land of Edom.
38 Then Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the command of the Lord, and died there in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month.
39 Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.
40 Now the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.
41 So they departed from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.
42 They departed from Zalmonah and camped at Punon.
43 They departed from Punon and camped at Oboth.
44 They departed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, at the border of Moab.
45 They departed from Ijim and camped at Dibon Gad.
46 They moved from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim.
47 They moved from Almon Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.
48 They departed from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.
49 They camped by the Jordan, from Beth Jesimoth as far as the Abel Acacia Grove in the plains of Moab.
50 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying,
51 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
52 then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places;
53 you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess.
54 And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families; to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance; there everyone’s inheritance shall be whatever falls to him by lot. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers.
55 But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.
56 Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.’ ”
Journal:
- Where have I seen God carry me through seasons I once questioned
- What is one step of obedience God is asking me to take right now
- How can remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen my trust in my current situation
The Daily Dose 