A Wise Man's Journey

I have been thinking about deserts....I can honestly say I am in one or a better perspective is that I am traveling THROUGH one.  I know we don't always equate anything about the Christmas story with deserts, but in reality, Mary and Joseph probably traveled through a desert to give birth to our Savior and the Wise Men probably traveled through a desert to seek our Savior....It seems like most journeys of faith lead us through the desert where it is quite possible (maybe absolutely certain) that we will experience many temptations....to be hopeless, doubtful, fearful, sinful...etc. I read this devotional recently and Kassi's experience with her friends "dying" for water the other day reminded me of these desert thoughts...almost like God was reinforcing the lesson for me with the cute little story.

The desert is a relentless, unforgiving place.  When we find ourselves in this place, doubt, deception and depression can easily fill the empty places of our soul. It’s hard to imagine, but the Lord does have His purposes for those desert places.  That’s when He desires us to cling to Him, to refresh us with the truth about Him.  We may still be in that desert place, but He will carry us through.

The next time you find yourself in a desert, ask yourself these 3 questions:

• Am I trusting in God’s character? God has my best in mind.  He is good!  Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:32
• Am I trusting in God’s promises and Word? He will accomplish what concerns me.  Numbers 23:19; 2 Peter 1:2-4
• Am I trusting in God’s program and timing? His ways are not always easiest, but they are always the best!  Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 55:8-13

Lord, help me to stand strong in this desert.  Help me to know Your grace by trusting in Your character.  I need to be strong and faithful at reading Your word and understanding Your promises and Your program and plans for me.  I want to know Your Word so well that the Truth will always win in my life over the deceiver. That I will apply what I know to be true so the accuser is without a case. I want to understand Your gospel so well that I will never doubt Your promise of salvation.  And when the fiery darts of temptation, lies and deception bombard me, Lord may I have absolute confidence in You, Your promises, power and timing in my life.