Into the Wilderness

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“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:12-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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Thrown into darkness. Thrown into blind searching for a way. A way through the dark.  A way through the midst. A way to get to the other side. There are seasons where the dark surrounds you and you struggle just to see two inches in front of you. 

A wilderness where you’re feeling around for something to grab on to.  Your hands search aimlessly in the void only to find nothing as you carefully put one foot in the front of the other. You don’t know where you are going and have nothing to hold to but yet somehow you know you have to keep moving forward. You have faith! Walking by faith not by sight. 

You hear a still, soft voice speak in your heart. “Keep going, keep moving.  You can’t feel Me, you can’t see Me but I AM here and I am guiding the way. Trust Me.” Knowing that it’s your Abba Father speaking, you cautiously, even fearfully keep moving, one step at a time. Then you hear, “Do not be afraid, be strong and courageous, for I am with you wherever you go.” 

The darkness has to come to an end eventually. The only one and thing that lasts forever is your God and His Kingdom. There is darkness and sadness in the night but the sun will always rise. The dawn always comes. Until it does, your God is there even when you can’t see or feel him saying, “I have you and I am with you. Call my name and I will come.” Somehow you know that even in the wilderness, that’s more than enough. For if God is for you who can be against you.  God does not sleep or slumber, your constant watchman.  God is not man that He should lie. God is faithful, trustworthy, and never changing. He created you, cares for you and loves you. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He sees the beginning from the end and is already ahead of you. He is there.  There ahead of you and beside you in the wilderness coaching you through as He says to you that He will instruct and show you the way to go. He will counsel you with His eye upon you.

In Isaiah, He tells us that when you pass through waters they will not overwhelm you, when you go through the fire you shall not be burned, for He is our God. He gives ransoms for us.  Why? Because we are His and precious to Him!

Did you see that? We are precious to Him. Precious to the One who created the heavens and the earth. Precious to the One who parts the seas and moves mountains. Precious enough to send His one and only Son to die for us. 

Friend, if you are in a wilderness season, pause and listen. Listen for that still soft voice in your heart beckoning you to come to Him, to keep moving, don’t stop. “I AM with you and love you. I will never forsake you.” Hear your maker’s voice say “You are mine, I created you and have redeemed you.” ” In this world you will have trouble but take heart precious child of mine, I have overcome the world!”

Oh Friend would you praise Him! Glorify His name with your heart, mind and soul. Lift His Name high and proclaim Him Lord over your life, your King, your Keeper, your Maker, your God! 

He is with you and He’s waiting. Waiting just for you!

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Scripture references in the order they appear.  Don’t take my word for it. Look it up in His. 

2 Corinthians 5:7

Joshua 1:9

Romans 8:31

Psalm 121:4

Romans 10:13

Numbers 23:19

Hebrews 13:5, 8

Psalm 32:8

Isaiah 43

Matthew 28:20

John 16:33