Hope in the Wilderness
Can you imagine getting lost on a hike in the mountains or an excursion through the desert … while simultaneously running out of water?
After hours or even days of parched wandering, stumbling across a road or rushing river would bring a massive sigh of relief. In extreme cases, it could even mean the difference between life and death.
In Isaiah 43, God is reminding His people who He is—the one and only God—and also what He has done. But then He goes on to say ...
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT
Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, God wasn’t just flashing signposts toward the Messiah’s coming—the ultimate pathway through the wilderness and thirst-quencher in the desert (though He was certainly doing that). His words are also a promise to us, because He still continues to restore—right here and right now.
Even when you’re lost in your own wilderness, God knows exactly where you are.
Have you ever messed up? Made a bad decision? Hurt someone you love? He can do something new.
Are you weary or exhausted? Burdened or burned out? Overwhelmed or overworked? He can do something new.
Do you feel trapped, stuck, hopeless, or held captive by something you can’t seem to escape? He can do something new.
The same God who made a way for the Israelites escaping Egyptian slavery when they were cornered against the Red Sea with no backup plan—can also make a way for you.
Paying attention to God’s provision is vital for recognizing His presence.
God loved the world so much that He refused to leave us to ourselves. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, to make a way. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be the way. Jesus Christ is the pathway in the wilderness and a river in the desert.
Do you not see it?
Let us look for Him, watch for Him, and expect for Him to do something new.
Luke 8
“And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears...
What’s Inside of You?
Have you ever made a poor decision and thought, "Why did I do that?”
In the Old Testament, the heart was considered the center of inner life, and people believed it dictated thoughts, emotions, and actions. It was essentially a combination of someone’s soul and mind.
When Proverbs 4:23 tells us to “guard our hearts," what it’s essentially saying is to pay careful attention to how you fill your inner life.
What goes into your soul and mind determines what comes out of your mouth. And what you say influences your actions and decisions. While you might not notice the effect your choices have on you today—over time, they will impact the direction of your life.
So how do we intentionally take care of our inner lives?
Our bodies were made by God, which means the thing they need most is God. He is the One who sustains us. So some of the best things we can do for ourselves is to intentionally seek God through prayer, studying Scripture, reflecting on His...