A Walk in the Wilderness - The Christian Online Magazine

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"The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done it, and the Holy One of Israel has created it."

Isaiah 41:17-20 NKJV

"In this life...you must go through a wilderness before every Promised Land."

We love to discuss the "Promised Land" experiences in our lives. Those times and places of total refreshment when it seems as though all of God's best has been poured out upon us. Perhaps it was a time when we had the perfect car, or the perfect house, or the perfect child.

Each of us would identify different times and different places as our "Promised Land." We do not hesitate to express our delight in God's provision for our lives. How God He has been. How much He has done. But, what about the "wilderness?" Those dark, dry, lonely desolate places? Those times when have nothing to hold on to but the promises of God. Those days and weeks, months and even years when we desire new things...be it a new car or a different job, or even a different life. The wilderness is that place in life where you have felt as though something had to change...or you would surely die.

We don't hear much about life in the "wilderness", do we? The befores and afters, yes. But what about the middle of the "wilderness?" The place where we pant from exhaustion, are too weak to even cry, and feel as though we cannot go a step further? We don't like to talk about that...but in not talking about it, we miss a wonderful opportunity to discuss the Gracious God Who consistently gives us His very best no matter where we are. He is Lord even in "the wilderness." When we look around, we see the things He does, not just to keep us alive but also to help us THRIVE even in the "wilderness."

That's the God we serve. He is not the God of the "Promised Lands." He is Jehovah God~Jehovah Jireh...the God Who Provides for us quality always the best all the time.

If you are in "the wilderness" today, look around. Are you thirsty? He has allowed a pool of water to spring up just to quench your thirst. Are you hungry? See the manna fall to fill you up. Dirty, go wash in the pool of water. Tired...prop yourself up against the cypress tree and rest. Hot and bothered...try all three. And rejoice for once again God has provided great things for you and for me.

Don't get so caught up in your condition that you lose sight of His provision...for He will supply ALL YOUR NEEDS according to His riches in glory. He truly is An Awesome God."