Day 32: Jesus, You Have A Plan In The Wilderness

Jesus has a plan for us EVEN in the wilderness. You see this truth most clearly in Moses’ life. Just think about Moses for a moment. He spent his first 40 years in Egypt enjoying the finer things in the courts of Pharaoh. After killing an Egyptian in defense of one of the Hebrews, Moses fled for his life to the land of Midian. According to Acts 7:29-30, we know that he spent another 40 years there in the wilderness with Jethro, priest of Midian and his family. Moses married Jethro’s daughter Zipporah and they had a son, Gershom. Exodus 2:21 says that Moses was “content to dwell with” Jethro and his family there in the wilderness. However, Moses felt the effects of the wilderness for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” And how true are those words! When I am in the wilderness experience, I realize my pilgrim status most acutely and know that I am not at home. And yet, what I need to remember is that the Lord is working out His plan and the wilderness sojourns are part of that plan. He has led me there. Exodus 3 marks the beginning of the next 40 years for 80-year-old Moses, proof positive that age has no bearing on God’s call or His intended ministry for you or me. I always love thinking about Corrie ten Boom who taught and traveled into her 80’s. She was released from Ravensbruck concentration camp at the age of 52 and didn’t begin her public ministry of speaking and writing until after that. So when you read Exodus 3 and see how the Lord worked with Moses there in the wilderness, you can’t help but experience hope and encouragement. No matter whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100, the Lord has a plan for your life.

So what can encourage us when we’re in the wilderness? First, know that you are not there by accident, but by design. God says, “I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it” (Isaiah 41:19-20). In Matthew 4:1 we see that “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness…” You can know that God has something for you there in the wilderness. He will meet you there Himself, just as He met Moses. Moses (in Exodus 3) was all alone tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, in the west side of the wilderness. In other words, he was out in the middle of nowhere, completely unknown and unseen. And that’s how it is in the wilderness—you are in the middle of nowhere, unknown and unseen. Remember, you are never alone. And you just never know when the Lord is going to give you a magnificent vision of His glory and speak profoundly to your heart. Often the greatest lessons come in the school of the desert. You can thrive in the desert for the Lord sends springs in the valleys and makes the wilderness a pool of water (Isaiah 41:18).

Today, I want to include the February 1 reading from Streams In The Desert – it was one of the Lord’s presents to me today on my birthday – I loved it and thought others might enjoy it also. So I’ll close with these great words from Mrs. Charles Cowman’s classic devotional, Streams In The Desert – Enjoy!

“This thing is from me.” (1 Kings 12:24)

“Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments.” Rev. C.A. Fox

“My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your wear head. This thing is from ME.

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, ‘he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye’ (Zech 2:8). You are very precious in My sight. (Isaiah 43:4). Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.

I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the ‘enemy comes in like a flood,’ that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.

Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Philippians 4:19). I would have you prove My promises. Let it not be said of you, ‘In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God’ (Deuteronomy 1:32).

Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thess. 2:16-17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This things if from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of my deepest lessons. ‘They also serve who only stand and wait.’ Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service, that they may learn to wield the weapon of all-prayer.

This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, my child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things.”
(Laura A. Barter Snow in Streams In The Desert)

“This is from Me,” the Saviour said,
As bending low He kissed my brow,
“For One who loves you thus has led.
Just rest in Me, be patient now,
Your Father knows you have need of this,
Tho, why perchance you cannot see—
Grieve not for things you’ve seemed to miss.
The thing I send is best for thee.”

Then, looking through my tears, I plead,
“Dear Lord, forgive, I did not not know,
Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread
Each path before me here below.
And for my good this things must be,
His grace sufficient for each test.
So still I’ll sing, ‘Whatever be
God’s way for me is always best.’”