It is in desolate, desert times that one can find a place where:
- One can encounter God.
- One can see how God provides.
- One wrestles with and conquer temptations (Luke 4).
- In separation and loneliness one can enjoy close fellowship with God.
- One can hear clearly the voice of God.
- God proves Himself. He is able (Ephesians 3:20).
- God shows forth His power and provision. Both are abundant and overflowing.
- God takes another opportunity to show His love for us (Song of Solomon 2:4).
- God spreads a table in the midst of all that threatens.
What spiritual resources do you need in your desert?
- Is it provision? “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together” (Genesis 22:8). “Abraham named that place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It). That’s where we get the saying, ‘On the mountain of God, he sees to it’” (Genesis 22:14, MSG). “And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, ‘In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided’” (NKJV).
- Is it Healing? “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26, NKJV). “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2).
- Is it deliverance from a problem? “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears” (Psalms 34:4, NASU). “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident” (Psalms 27:1-3, ESV).
- The baptism of the Holy Ghost to fill your thirsty soul? “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. ‘He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37-39, NASU).
- Is it salvation in a weary land to the nomadic (wandering) lost? “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS” (Matthew 11:28-30, NASU).
- Is it to do the impossible and improbable? “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
- Is it to supply your needs? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
James Poitras 