September 9, “Great Expectations”

“Great Expectations”
Brian Reid, September 9, NTUBC

A few weeks ago, myself and few guys from this very church, went on an adventure. Corey & Craig Mullen, Stanley Britain and myself, ventured out into the Annapolis Basin, off the coast of Digby – landing on Bear Island.

Originally, the plan was for Corey and I, to scout-out the island, as a possible place for an extreme, over-night camping trip; for some of our older youth. But, it was when we needed a boat to make the crossing, that Stanley offered his watercraft to us. Then, as the news and plans developed, Craig joined the group.

So, the four of us, rallied around one another, and set-out on Stanley’s small, rubber raft; powered only by an even smaller, electric motor. As things unfolded, we used one battery-powerpack on the way over, and one on the way back.

Thank God, that Stanley brought 3 wooden orrs with him, to paddle with, or we might have drifted out the Digby Gut.

On that Tuesday evening, filled with anticipation, excitement, and marvel – we commenced our voyage. We couldn’t wait to get there and start exploring; but shortly thereafter, our first hurdle presented itself. The first battery died (3/4 of the way over), so we began to paddle.

Ya’ know that island is further off-shore then you might think.
Undaunted, with hopes of finding something spectacular, we continued. During our crossing, which should have been filled with caution, we were simply, impatient.

The foresight of apprehension, was taken over by the sheer, thrill, of it all. We were getting a bang out of it, we were getting a kick out of our adventure; it simply was a hoot!

Full of (that) excitement, adventure and great expectations, we approached the Island – only to quickly have our hopes dashed by the sheer unpleasantness of our surroundings.

The shoreline was rugged and rocky, on-land, no green-grass – just shrubs that sometimes were as high as our waists. The trees were barren; half dead and half full of disease.

Thousands upon thousands of sea-gulls called this Island home, and had no intentions of giving that up. They screamed at our presence, flew, angrily, over-head, and used us as target practice.

Strange-looking, ugly, black, sea-ducks watched, perched from the trees; and their sinister appearance, suggested; this Island was no playground.

We tried to go inland, but could not negotiate the brush, the hilly ground, or the hidden dangers that we were totally, unaware of. So, we combed the shore, and occasionally would venture to higher ground; only to find large amounts of descending residue - and dead and dying creatures everywhere.
We walked around the entire island, combing the rocks, and what little sand that was sporadically placed by the raging tides of ocean inlet. We could look and see, in the far-off distance, the coast of the mainland; with all its civilization. But, here on this Island, death and isolation was all around us; a most in-hospitable place for 4 amateur scouts.

And, as we walked the perimeter of this barren, desolate island, devoid of any (passed or present) human life, we soon realized our time, and welcome, were overstayed. Now, we had to get off this lump of rock and soil, and traverse that opposing and burdensome body of water; with what little resources we had.

1 partly-used, battery-powerpack,
2 outcomes, available to us,
3 wooden paddles,
4 worn and tired souls.

Little did my comrades know, I had not stopped, silently, praying since we began our journey.

Thanks to God, we had crossed this barren sea, scouted the terrain and wildlife (of that lost and forgotten island), and returned safely. For God was with us, watched over us, and showed mercy upon us.

We, four, modern-day, Christian explorers, had echoed a similar story; from the bible. These people, like us, were first filled with great expectations, hope and wonder; but only to have those feelings crushed.
We weren’t prepared for the journey we had undertaken, for the many hurtles and obstacles that faced us, and we weren’t prepared or for what we found (in that distant land); and neither, neither were the Israelites.

Way back in Genesis 12.1;

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household, to the land I will show you.

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse; and all peoples on earth will blessed through you.’”

Question;
The Lord promises many blessings, if only Abram would only…

…leave everything he knew behind and go to the place that would be shown to him?

Is that what God wanted?

Well, yes and no.

That was the request, but it’s not what God meant!


In Exodus 6:6-8, the Lord gives Moses this message, to deliver;

“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment. I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the Lord your God, who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. I will bring you into that land, I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will be your very own property. I am the Lord!’”

Here the Lord promised, that He would free the enslaved people, grant a great and powerful judgment against their captures, and make the Israelites His own special people.

The Lord, again, made some special promises, if only the Israelites would…

Follow Him?
Go to this far off land?

Later, in Exodus 33:1-3, we hear a little about what God is actually promising and giving to the Israelites.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Now that you have brought these people out of Egypt, lead them to the land I solemnly promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them long ago that I would give this land to their descendants.
And I will send an angel before you, to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Theirs, is a land flowing with milk and honey.’”

This promise (to the Israelites), was a continuation and a conclusion to the promise made much earlier to Abram. The Lord foretold of a land, flowing with milk and honey; and a land free from all outside influences of the surrounding heathens.

As we remember the adventure Corey, Craig, Stanley and I had, listen to these words;

“The Lord, now said to Moses, ‘Send men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to Israel.’”

The Israelites were freed from slavery – as promised; they were led to the land of milk and honey – as promised; and finally, they stood perched to enter that land.

But they were unsure of what laid beyond the Jordan River.
We, 4-scouts, also were unsure of what lay on Bear Island. The Israelites knew nothing of this land that was promised to them. We knew nothing of Bear Island; only the stories from those, who hadn’t even been there.

The Israelites traveled and hoped; but soon complaints and disobedience spread like wild-fire through-out the camp. But, regardless, they had arrived safely, to the land, which was promised.

The Lord heard their disapproval and laments, and told Moses to send out scouts – in order to reassure the Israelite people. And, one of each of the 12 ancestral tribes were chosen, and discharged.

Much like the group that explored Bear Island, and, then came back with a bold and unbelievable tale; these scouts, spent 40 days exploring and investigating Canaan;

…a land flowing with milk and honey, the people living there were strong and powerful, their cities well-fortified; and even giants were seen.

After receiving this frightening report, the people rebel;
Numbers 14:

“Then all the people began weeping loudly, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron.

Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt!

Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites, from above the Tabernacle.

And the Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will these people reject me? Will they ever believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?’”

After everything that God promised and delivered, the Israelites still doubted.

In sorrow and anger, the Lord said to Moses ‘How long will these people reject me?’”

I give you no happy ending, today. I give you no conclusion or recommendations.

The Israelites were enslaved, freed by God through Moses; they ere offered a land flowing with milk and honey; and all they did was complain and resist.

All of you have been offered ‘a land that flows with milk and honey.’ All of you have been promised eternal life through Jesus. The next step is yours.

Will you look and only see a barren and unforgiving land, such as that of Bear Island; or will you trust in God, and accept the life He has offered; in the land of milk and honey - eternally yours?

And the Lord said to Moses ‘How long will these people reject me?’”


Let us pray.