Are there not times when every child of God has a longing in the heart to escape forever this barren land? Though there are blessings from our Lord's hand, much of what we endure and look upon makes us shed some tears as we think of the perfection of His presence. Are you that way? As I walked outside a few minutes ago, the longing really took effect. There have been disappointments and hurts of late that bring us into another realm of desire. We sing that song in our hearts, "Oh! to Be Like Thee." Paul put it this way, "Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better."
Truly, "we have dwelt in Egypt a long time." I know in the perfect will and purpose of our God, it is not too long, but it is a long time. Would it not be good to end all our wanderings, all our tears, all our perplexities, all our disappointments, all our aches and pains? Have not I achieved the highest honor a man can have in this world? I have heard, understood, and believed the truth of God. I know God; I understand the wisdom and knowledge of Almighty God.
The presence of the Lord is mine by faith, for He was in Christ, and I understand who Christ is. That which separates a man from the beasts is understanding who Christ is, what Christ did, and where Christ is now. What else is left?
Ah, but thou knowest, Lord! "It is appointed." Give me grace to long for that Divine appointment but not to be melancholy in the longing for it. Thou doest all things well. "We have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us." Soon they will receive vexing from the hands of the sovereign lord, a vexing that they cannot even imagine.
Yes, a long time, but He has willed it so. It is good.