OUR DESERTS

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. — Deuteronomy 8:2, in my short 49 years I have been through many deserts, some have been short and quite easy to cross, other times in my life I have travelled deserts that seemed to go on and on, sometimes not even knowing how to even go back. Standing in the middle of a great trial not knowing which way to go; despair begins to settle in, and you think well it doesn’t matter what way I take now it’s not going to make a difference. Your thoughts go to It’s useless, it’s not worth it. The desert can be a dangerous place. In Biblical times, it was always a place of uncertainty, peril, trial, and death. Not the kind of place you want to go on holidays, When I have found my self in a desert, I Have experienced disappointment and grief on all sides. situations seemed hopeless. After six months of struggling that felt like forty years I pleaded with God for direction, and God provided. , During our desert experiences we can so easily focus on our circum¬stances instead of God’s character. We grow weary instead of waiting patiently. Yet God’s Word reminds us,
Do not let your heart be troubled. — John 14:1 Believing that God is good and that He can take care of us through our desert experiences gives us hope and joy in the middle of our uncertainty. When my feelings threaten to overshadow my trust in Him, I must turn my heart immediately to His promises. I remind myself that the Lord isn’t slow to fulfill His promises (2 Peter 3:9). His ways are perfect (Psalm 18:30). God works all things for good (Romans 8:28). Just like He led the Israelites in the desert, He leads us.
Let us pray: Father, I know that You are good. I know that You are present with me, even in the hard places. So now, when I can’t understand why I’m going through a desert place, help me cling to the promises You’ve given me in Scripture. Help me to remember that Your character doesn’t change like my circumstances do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Remember He never leaves us nor forsakes us.
May God bless you Amen Amen and Amen.