What is the Wilderness?
The wilderness is defined as an uncultivated uninhabited and inhospitable region which, for a Christian, can feel like a place of disfavor. Having experienced the wilderness I believe, in fact I now know, it is a place of discipline. "For whom the Lord love He chastises and scourges every son whom He receives (Hebrews 12:6). "He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. They will belong to the LORD, presenting a righteous offering (Malichi 3:3). God wants to purify; sanctify, His Children. Sanctification is a process of purification via God's Holy Spirit which will not stop until He sees God's reflection in us. God knows our ways. When He is finished purifying us, we will come out as pure gold (Job 23:8-10).
A Lonely Place
The wilderness can seem to be a very lonely place. However, no matter how we feel, God is always with us. He knows our heart. He knows about our Spirit being willing and our flesh being weak. He knows every variation of us. Put it all in His hands. He will make everything work together for our good. Ask yourself "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night; Even the darkness can't hide from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (Psalm 139:7-12). There is no such place considered too low or too high for God to reach us. If you are on the mountain top it is God Who put you there, or, if in the valley, God sees you there. Refocus your faith in Jesus. We are Christians "for we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Do You Feel Tempted to Touch?
God knows all that we desire to have. He just doesn't want us to be turning tricks, no pun intended, to fill those desires. It is a trick of the enemy to get one to leave the Way that God has provided. The devil presents God's children with everything that clitters. Jesus experienced temptation too. He was led up of the Spirit, directly after His baptism, into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Mathew 4:1). Yes, Jesus knows all about temptation. "For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15). Be not therefore anxious, saying, what shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:31-34). I have learned a great deal more about Who God is and His love for me while in the wilderness. I thank God for Jesus and His steadfast love and faithfulness shown toward me.
Tell Jesus All About It
Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Yes, "Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
He Will Never Lose
Jesus said, "All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day (John 6:39).
Prayer
I pray that we all stay focused on the things not of this world. I pray that whatever tries to hinder our walk with God, it will not prosper. I pray that, if you find yourself in a spiritual wilderness for whatever reason, you pay close attention to learn from the experience(s) so that you may grow in Christ Jesus and be ready when He comes again. I pray that you continue to...Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Put it all in His hands. Have a blessed stress-free worry-free day on purpose, and never stop believing that Jesus paid it
"....if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9).
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