GOD IN THE WILDERNESS - PART II - 18/03/12

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

Israelites who walked in the wilderness were set an example for us to walk in this wilderness world. God has prepared many things for us but before that we have to learn many things. The preparation time will be tedious but when we reap the fruit of it we will be delighted.

But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.Deu1:40 There are so many ways to reach Canaan from Egypt. If we start by 8am from Egypt we will be reaching Canaan by 5pm, not even one day. But they journeyed in the wilderness for 40 years. Many times we do not understand why we go through this wilderness and we might be asking questions. Remember that God comes along with us and look after us that nothing happen to us. Will He forsake in the wilderness? Definitely not. Let us see what all things happened in the wilderness.

1. Satisfaction in the wilderness:

For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing. Deu2:7

God knows you and me in this life of wilderness. As a security guard knew in advance the way where the V.I.P is coming before itself and safe guarding it, our God safeguards us. As the Israelites lacked nothing in the wilderness, you will also lack nothing. Also God will satisfy you to the full.

Prayer: Lord, I believe that You will abundantly bless my provision: You will satisfy me to the full.

2. Justice in the wilderness:

Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. Num27:3-7

Zelophehad’s daughters brought a case before Moses and he took it to the Lord. As concerning this case no law was given by God. And God told Moses to amend a law according to what they ask, just listening to those young daughters. Are you in a position that you did not receive justice in some thing? God will not forsake you in this wilderness. He will be with you and do justice to you.

Prayer: Lord, Give us our inheritance and the things we deserve and do justice for us.

3. Zealous in the wilderness:

The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; Deu1:30

As our God was zealous for His people in Egypt, He will be with you and zealous for your sake. Do not think there is no one to recommend for you. When man forsakes you, you can intensely feel that God is with you. You might be asking, “Is there anyone to support me and my family?” God says, “Do not be afraid of this wilderness. I am the Lord God and I am with you.”

Once there was a church (hut) and the neighbor house man used to throw stones over the roof and it fell into the church. Some police officials used to attend the church and they asked permission of the Pastor to take action against him But the Pastor was a very patient man and he did not allow them to do him any harm. And after a long time for some 2 to 3 months they had no disturbance from that neighbor. When he came back, Pastor went and asked him, “what happened?”. He said he had a major operation. Doctors removed so many stones from his stomach. The stones he threw on the church fell in his stomach itself, I hope.

Prayer: God, You are there to be zealous for me and speak for me.

4. Holiness in the wilderness:

And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea. Deu1:19

Kadeshbarnea – Holiness of an inconstant son, which means the holiness of a man with a wavering mind. You might be in the same situation. Also you might be living with a question these many days I am living for God but still I do not attain a good position. God says, “As you are faithful to Me and have come to Me, I will give you a stable holiness, steady and settled life which is  a longstanding one.

We should not keep a limit for our holiness. We should ask in prayer, what God expects of us. God says, “You will no more stumble neither unstable but you will walk in majesty.

Prayer: LORD, You are righteous in all thy ways, and holy in all Your works. Help me to become like You Lord.

5. Healing in the wilderness:

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. Deu29:5

Kadeshbarnea is a terrible wilderness.  Their raiment waxed not old upon them, neither did their foot swell, those forty years. Deu8:4. As a child’s slipper is always new as the mother or father carry the baby always, I hope God had carried them in the wilderness and there was healing in there. To cross the terrible wilderness we need a terrible God. God says, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. Exo_34:10

Prayer: Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Amen.