GOD IN THE WILDERNESS - Part I - 11/03/12

GOD IN THE WILDERNESS

And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. Mar1:12,13

God wanted to prepare Jesus for the ministry and sent Him to the wilderness and it seemed to be like a training place for Him to do His next 3 ½ years of ministry in the world. There were so many temptations, Satan and even animals but in the midst of that angels were present. Desert is a tough place. Though we walk with all our energy we cannot walk faster. But God gives us grace to achieve the goal He has for us. For us also this worldly life is a wilderness. But God will be with us and give counsel and lead us.

1. Way in the wilderness:

And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. Gen16:7-9

When Hagar could not be under the hand of Sarah, she left her and fled into the wilderness. She was left all alone and did not know where to go. When she was asked by God where she has come, she told the truth to God. And God helped her by advising her to return to Sarah and submit under her. God opened her eyes and she saw a fountain. Our eyes needs to opened by God. No one can shut what God opens. There is no stumbling and it is an eternal way.

God says, “I am the God who makes a way in the wilderness and I will make a way for you”. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran. Num10:12. So God Himself will be your guide. He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. So that they might understand God’s power.

Prayer: Lord, let your will be done on me. I am wandering in this wilderness world and I am unable to take a proper decision. Be with me Lord and guide me.

2. Support in the wilderness:

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. Gen21:14

Again Hagar seemed to be in the wilderness and her son was with her, but this time Abraham himself sent her away. We see here that God hears the voice of the son. Hagar was deserted and there was no water for them. Are you in the same situation? People who had promised to be with you may not be with you but God will never forsake you. He hears your prayer and is merciful to you. God says, Put your trust in Me, I will change your abandoned situation and will support you.

Prayer: Lord, I put my trust in You and believe You will hold me up.

3. Ministry in the wilderness:

Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Exo3:1,2

Moses would have thought, “Why did I learn everything and skillful? And Why am I now a shepherd? I forgot my language too being with these sheeps all the time!” He saw a vision in the wilderness. God told him to go to Egypt to to do His ministry. God has called you for His ministry and has given you a great responsibility. You can do ministry anywhere and everywhere. Everyday you meet so many people from the newspaper man, milk man, vegetable vendor and so many people. Start your ministry from there. Say about Jesus. Pray for them.

Prayer: God, give me all boldness and motivate me that I should preach Your gospel, for therefore I am chosen.

4. Provision in the wilderness:

And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. Exo16:10,13,14

They were in need of food. They did not have any food for their journey. Almost 6lakhs men and approximately 20-25 lakhs of people would have been there including the children and women. God fed them with fresh manna (preserved under the dew) and quails. God was so concerned about His people’s health and hygiene. Our God is a wonder working God. He gives everything from nothing. They saw God’s mighty hand working wonders for them in the wilderness and we too will see.

Prayer: God, as you changed the bitterness of the waters of Marah and made it sweet and proved Yourself that You are the Healer, change all the bitterness and sickness in my life and heal my body, soul and spirit. 

5. Blessing in the wilderness:

And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. Num24:1,5,9

You are going to hear People speaking about you that God is with you and that’s why you are so blessed. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! Num23:23

Prayer: God, I believe you are with me to bless me. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless Your holy name for ever and ever. Amen.