https://odb.org/2024/08/26/desert-places-2
Christian life, like any other life, has its ups and downs. While we look forward to the mountain top experiences, we dread the valleys. That is natural as everyone wants to have a fairytale ending, to live happily ever after, after getting past all the initial struggles and sufferings. But any ending when extended will likely return to the up and down cycle of life.
Ancient biblical history shows us that God is found in the desert places. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were led through the wilderness to the Promised Land as they travelled and lived in tents in search of the city, whose foundation is built by the LORD. Moses stayed in the wilderness for 40 years before God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and in their journey to the Promised Land, they spent 40 years in the wilderness, mostly in Kadesh Barnea, an oasis just a little south of the Promised Land.
It is through these desert experiences that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses saw first hand the power and love of God. It was also in the journey from prisoner, slave to prime minister that Joseph experienced God’s favour and fulfilled God’s purpose for him to rescue the clan of Jacob that grew from 70 to 600,000 abled bodied men that Moses delivered from the Pharoah in Egypt.
In my life, I’ve had my share of disappointments, failures, and unrealised dreams. But I’ve also had my share of experiences where God intervened supernaturally to lead me to a fruiful conclusion despite injustices perpetrated against me. There were times I cried out in desperate prayer, and the LORD saw me through those desert experiences. The key is to trust in Him and to commit our future to Him. We do not dictate where our future should be or how it should look like, but trust that Jesus will lead us to a place that is flowing with milk and honey – a place that is beautiful and will reflect the glory of God!
Do not dread and shun the desert experiences. Neither fear nor approach such experiences with trepidation. What matters is that the LORD is there with us and we will be safe!
Have a great week ahead, everyone!
Ronnie's Thoughts 