The Terrible Wilderness, Pt. 1 - No. 140

Deuteronomy 8: 14-16, “The Lord thy God… who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought… that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end.” Read also Deuteronomy 1:19.

Are you going through a desert time in your life? Does it seem a “terrible” experience? Perhaps you feel as though God has forsaken you. Your life seems dry and meaningless.

Please don’t despair. Your wilderness experience is not a time to grovel and complain. It is your opportunity to see the power and provision of God. You can see more miracles from God in your wilderness experience than at any other time. The children of Israel did not accidentally land up in the wilderness. God commanded them to go in. They were not out of the will of God. It was their place of preparation and proving.

Granted, it was not a smooth road! They faced serpents and scorpions. They endured hunger and thirst. They went through “the shadow of death.” They could not survive without the help of God. Nor can you. But look up! As you take your eyes off the “terrible” wilderness and trust in God, you will be in for some SURPRISES.

Let me show you want can happen in the wilderness. Look up these wonderful Scriptures, claim them, and start thanking God for your wilderness experience. Thank Him for each individual promise.

Have you lost direction?

God guided and led His people in the wilderness. (Exodus 1:21; Deuteronomy 8:2, 15; 29:5; 32:10; Psalm 68:7; 78:52; 136:16; Amos 2:10) God led His people into the wilderness, through the wilderness and out of the wilderness. He will lead you through your wilderness too. And remember, your wilderness is only for a season. God will lead you out into all that He has planned for you. Look beyond your problems to where God is taking you. But He will only take you on when you are ready and He has proved you in the wilderness.

God instructed them in the wilderness. (Deuteronomy 32:10). The Hebrew word for “instruct” is “bin” which means “understanding, insight and discernment”. You will have insight into God’s ways in your wilderness experience far more than when you are on the easy path.

God makes a way in the wilderness. (Isaiah 43:19) Can you see no way out of the difficulties that you are in? Keep trusting God. He will make a way. He is your God, even in the wilderness.

God spoke to His people in the wilderness. (Exodus 19:16-19; Numbers 1:1; 3:14; 9:1) Sometimes God has to take you into a desert place in your life so that you can hear Him speak to you. The desert is quiet and free from distractions. You can hear His voice more clearly than when taken up with the “successful” busy rat-race of this life.

    God will get your attention in the wilderness. (Psalm 29:8)

    God will speak to you face to face in the wilderness. (Ezekiel 20:35-36)

    God will speak tenderly in the wilderness. (Hosea 2:14)

God used His servant Balaam to prophecy blessing and direction four times over His people in the desert. (Numbers 23:8-10; 18-24; 24:1-9; 15-19)

Have you lost all hope?

The wilderness is the place for miracles. (Numbers 14:22) God will do miracles for you too. Believe Him.

Watch out for more SUPRISES next week.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

Prayer:

“Oh Lord, I thank you that you are the God of the wilderness. I thought I was finished, but now I see this is just the beginning of your dealings with me. I thank you that even in my hopeless situation you will speak to me and reveal more of yourself to me. I am listening, Lord. Amen.”

 

Affirmation: