Did you know that God’s Word, the Bible (our instruction book on life as my brother called it) is filled with God’s promises, blessings, and His instructions?
God’s Instruction Book on Life
Did you know that God’s Word, the Bible (our instruction book on life as my brother called it) is filled with God’s promises, blessings, and His instructions? God has a promise, provides instructions, and then asks us to do our part. God personally instructs us on how to live before Him. Very simply, we just need to believe and trust in Him and do our part. We will always see the work of His hand in our life as a result. Does it mean that we are immune to terrible things happening in our life? No. It is a fact that we all have sorrows in our lives. In John 16:33 [NKJV], Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” God gave us His blueprint for life that is not meant to harm us, but to protect us. In Jeremiah 29:11 [NIV], Scripture states “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
The Different Seasons of our Life
We all go through different seasons in our life. When we look back at where we have been, or look around at where we are now, we can recognize the different seasons. There are times when we enter that stretch of “wilderness” with different durations. This season is difficult and is unique to each of us. The “wilderness” usually feels dry and barren, a place of great uncertainty or lacking hope or purpose. It can be a place that feels like we lack something of immeasurable value. We may feel like there is no growth at all or that we are stuck. Yet, at the same time, we may have blessings in other areas. For the past two years after my husband’s unexpected death, I have walked through “the valley of the shadow of death” but have lately felt a new stretch of “wilderness” and need to buckle up for this season of refinement and renewal. Both Isaiah 41 and Psalm 23 have comforting promises for our life when we trust God. The Bible states in Isaiah 41: 10 [NKJV], “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” The encouraging scripture in Psalm 23:1-4 [NIV], a psalm of David, states “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Why Does God Allow the Seasons in the Wilderness?
One might ask, why does God allow these seasons or use this time in our lives? As painful as it may be, these times humble, test and teach us. Scriptures show us in Deuteronomy 8:2-3 [NIV], “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
These seasons in our lives, usually caused by situations beyond our control, reveal our limitations and can be very painful and frustrating to manage. Sometimes it may feel like we are consumed with just trying to make it through. If we allow God, He will be with us in the “wilderness” and He will always provide what we need to make it through. It is important that we respond through faith, patience, trust and a knowing that He will get us through it. If we do not give up and stay close to God / Jesus, we will be strengthened in our faith, our trust and reliance on Him. It can be difficult at times, but Jesus asks us to trust Him – in all things. In Isaiah 26 and other scriptures, His Word talks about trusting Him. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 [NKJV]). Please note that our expectation on outcome does not always match His outcome. Sometimes it does and sometimes it does not.
Moses and the Exodus from Egypt
The book of Exodus describes a significant, historical event for the Israelites and their salvation from four hundred years of slavery in Egypt. In Exodus 3:7-8 [NKJV], God spoke to Moses, “And the Lord said: ‘I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey’”
By His hand, God saved the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and in the process molded them into a nation. He instructed Moses and Aaron (Moses’ brother) to flee Egypt the day after Passover (certainly after great tribulation had gone on with the Pharoah of that day) and God led them the route of the wilderness. During their journey of 40 years to the land of Canaan (promised land), they made camp at around 45+ locations along the way. The Israelites went kicking/complaining all the way forward, despite seeing all that God had done for them – miracles upon miracles right before their eyes. The children of Israel complained to Moses before they exited Egypt when dealing with the response of Pharoah (God made a way out). In the second month after finally exiting Egypt the day after Passover, they complained because they were hungry (God provided). They complained because there was not sufficient water (God provided). When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving instruction from God, they grew inpatient and created a golden idol for worship! This went on and on. When they were about to enter the promised land, they complained and did not think it was possible. The whole time, God was saying (paraphrasing in my own words), I have a promise for you, and these are my instructions. Just follow them and I will lead you successfully out of Egypt – out from four hundred years of slavery and into an incredibly beautiful land with provision. In Scripture, Numbers 14:11 [NKJV], it shows God’s frustration or disappointment with the people of Israel, “Then the Lord said to Moses: ‘How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?’”
Lean on Him in All Seasons
Jesus has a vantage point that we will never have and if we just let Him guide us – no matter what the season – good or bad – it will lead to His promises for our life. We need to trust Him, as hard as it is sometimes. In the end and after enduring the 40 years of wilderness, the children of Israel became a nation and grew and developed during this time with all the teachings and lessons in hand. In Philippians 2:13 [NIV], scripture states “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” These times will be our greatest test. At the same time, it is an opportunity for us to draw close to God, allowing Him to refine us and get us ready for what is next. Sometimes it feels like there is no way out of the “wilderness” seasons of our life but promises and renewal always come afterward. God will make a way even where it seems impossible. In the same way, he will never leave us or forsake us. “be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you’” (Hebrews 13:5 [NLT]). If we step out in faith, He will transform us during this time. Through the challenging times and through times of blessing, press into God and enable Him to transform you. When we persevere through these times in “the wilderness,” lean on His promises, trust in His provision and protection and let these times purify our faith. In Mark 10:27 [NKJV], “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’”
God Made it So Simple for Us
There are those that may feel the Bible would constrain their life, but in fact, it frees us – literally and for eternity. God made it quite simple: He is a living God. He wants us to trust Him and His Word/Bible (our instruction book on life). He wants a relationship with us and for us to include Him daily in our lives. He wants us to believe in His Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins and salvation. He wants us to walk in His gift of salvation (we cannot earn this gift). He gave us a blueprint for how to act before Him. This is to protect us. Just as we have laws of the land for how to function as citizens of our own country.
Prayer for Today and Everyday (taken from our “My Daily Prayers” free online booklet).
Father God, thank you for Your abundant mercy, grace, and protection on my life this day, this week and always. Thank You so much for Your provision in all things. Thank you for Your Son, Jesus Christ. Whatever your plan for my life, prepare me, strengthen me, and show the direction in which I need to go. You will never burden me with something too great for me to bear. You are my Father, my God, and my Deliverer. Give me the courage for what is ahead.
Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, salvation and for the Holy Spirit, my Comforter and Teacher. Thank you for being the Lord of my life. Please show me the purpose you have for me today and to do Your will. Thank you that I am a living testimony of the saving power of Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit, please reveal anything in my life that is hindering my relationship with God. Help me to walk in the ways of Christ with a pure heart. Teach me. I ask for God’s wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discernment.
Message of Hope
If you are unsure about who God or Jesus is or feel your relationship isn’t right with Him, I’d encourage you to read out Message of Hope. Peace and grace always be with you.
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James
Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights
reserved. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.
com.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
All rights reserved. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com.
