LIFE IN THE DESERT

After God helped the Israelites cross the Red Sea, the Egyptians were finally out of their reach. Pharaoh would not pursue them anymore, but the Israelites faced new challenges. They were now in the middle of the desert, and there was a lack of food and water. If they were able to survive, God had to continue to intervene. Psalm 105:40-41 says, "They asked for meat, and he sent them quail; he satisfied their hunger with manna—bread from heaven. He split open a rock, and water gushed out to form a river through the dry wasteland." While the Israelites were in the desert, God never once did He allowed them to starvation and dehydration. God miraculously provided everything that they needed. God gave them manna as their bread, quail for meat, and freshwater from the rock. In addition, God covered the Israelites with clouds during the day to guide and cover them from the heat of the sun and a pillar of fire by night to give them light (Exodus 13:21-22). It is amazing to see how God took care of the Israelites while they were in the desert. 

The lesson we can learn from this story is that when we are in our own desert, God is faithful to take care of us. Our own desert can be a situation in which nothing is happening, or we are in a transitional state. We may feel that our lives are in a circle, and we are desperate to change but cannot. We are stuck and do not know what to do or what is next. When we are in this situation, we need to trust God that He is doing something in our lives. It took me ten years to finish college. When I was in college, I thought that I would never finish it. I was working a full-time job during the day and went to school at night, which was not easy. However, I was determined to continue to trust God every day. I believe that He was doing something in my life, even though I couldn't completely comprehend it. Looking back now, I am so thankful for those ten years because I grew so much in my faith and my character. 

When the Israelites were in the desert for 40 years, God taught them a valuable lesson that He was their caring, loving, holy God. Let us persevere in trusting our God in our desert places. God does not abandon us, no matter how we feel or think. He is faithful to take care of us forever, for we are His precious children.  

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Am I in a desert right now? Why do I feel like I am in the desert? Why trusting God in my desert is important? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for always being faithful to take care of me, even in my deserts. Please help me continue to trust you and never lose heart. You are always at work in my life and use my desert place to make me the person that you want me to be so that you can fulfill your plan in my life. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.