Facing the wilderness

The wilderness is a season that every follower of Jesus walks through at least once in their lifetime. It’s a time marked by long waits, extended periods of seemingly closed doors and much disappointment. It is a season that is not punishment but preparation for what lies ahead. God took the Israelites through the wilderness on a forty-year journey, which was for the express purpose of weeding the population of a rebellious and an unbelieving generation. What should have been a ten-day trek into their promised land turned into a forty-year-long detour that God planned meticulously for his people. During this wilderness sojourn, God was never far away but right beside them and in their midst. He still communicated closely with them through Moses and then through Joshua. He was actively involved in their everyday lives and was equally invested in their unwavering devotion to Him.

The problem with the wilderness is that it can seem unending with its harsh and relentless drought-like conditions. Relationships could be struggling, finances may feel tighter than usual, your health will feel rocky and unsteady while you’re staring down discouragement and disappointment at very close quarters. As you look closer at your own wilderness journey, you will find that God is not absent in the silences nor is he far off in the heat of your trials, but He stays with you and holds you up when you feel beaten down. He is true to His word when He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.

You may not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel of your wilderness, but you can be assured that you have the Light of the world journey with you every step of the way. You will sense his heartbeat for you in your most solitary moments. You will feel His incomparable strength when the howling winds pick up around you. You will see His kindness in the midst of your greatest heartaches and despair.

So don’t lose hope. When you find yourself in a wilderness, call out to the Lord of all. He is the God of the hills, the valleys, the desert and the gardens. He will help you make sense of your current season while leading you tenderly and lovingly into the next.