REMEMBER THE WILDERNESS

And thou shalt remember all the
way which the Lord thy God led
thee these forty years in the
wilderness, to humble thee,
to prove thee, to know what
was in thine heart, whether thou
wouldst keep his commandments,
or no.
Deuteronomy 8:2

Talking to some friends lately about being in captivity, not because of being imprisoned in jail. but of feeling captive to a negative situation in our lives. Captivity is where we are put in a place with seemingly no way out. It might be a habit or any kind of negative happening in our lives.

What the Israelites went through in the wilderness in the beginning and even intent was not a captive situation. The Israelites were happy to return back to their home land. They had no idea though, what a time of testing they would experience in a 40 year period of time. As I was reading in Deuteronomy 8, I realized the people were being given some back-of-the-wilderness instructions.

This verse took me back...back to some of my own wilderness wanderings. My first trip was leaving my home town to go to college in Kansas. It was my first time to be away from home for a span of time. I didn't know anyone, the surroundings very different. I can't tell you the things the Lord taught me while attending that Christian college in my four years there. I felt a depth of loneliness that first year I had never known before. After college I went to a city next to Chicago where I worked in a Christian center with young people and some adults of a different race than my own. Not only was I lonely, but was in a cultural situation that for me was very different and challenging. I adjusted, but for a time, there were many tears when my head hit the pillow at bedtime.

I could go on as could you, but in verse 2 of this very informative chapter, my eyes stopped there realizing how God listed some of His expectations of His people in this venture toward a home place many had never known. God was hoping there would be some lessons learned in that time, some spiritual skills developed and a strong relationship with God Himself strengthened.

First, God wanted them to be in a loving relationship with Him.  He meant them no ill will.  There was so much catching up they had to do spiritually.  God wanted there to be a willingness on their part to love Him and find happiness in Him even in the wilderness.

Second, God wanted them to come to realize their only sufficiency was God Himself. No more self-sufficiency was in order in the desert. God wanted something very new from His people. He wanted their eyes off of selves and on to Him. If it took the wilderness to accomplish that, so be it.

Third, God wanted them to know their own hearts. It would appear they didn't know themselves very well. In many respects, they were getting reacquainted with the God of their fathers while coming to know themselves better. This took real self-examination regarding their obedience on an individual level. In that time, it was vital that they trust and have faith in God to the point of choosing obedience.

That chapter revealed even more hopes for God's people. God wanted to be remembered by his people, that they would worship Him only. God cautioned the people that as parents chasten their children, so He would also chasten them as needed...all out of love.

I look at my wilderness days and can see myself in all of these areas. Away from home for the first time, I went for a time with no close-by support system. I learned quickly that God was my support and that no matter where I lived, He would always be with me. All of this was very humbling for me. I came to know quickly that I didn't have a heart totally given to the Lord. I thought I was in pretty good shape spiritually but the wilderness taught me so much more regarding my need for a closer relationship with the Lord. All of this drove me to God's Word, hanging onto every word for dear life.

As uncomfortable as our wilderness times may be, it pleases the Lord when those times drive us to Him. I think of some friends today away from family in a nursing home. Some are in a hospital bed with few visitors. We have missionaries in distant places away from home and family who may feel at times they are in a foreign wilderness. I'm thinking of some friends who in recent days have become widows...alone, facing their new normal.

I've also come to know that a wilderness for us isn't necessarily a place, but can be where we are emotionally or spiritually. Despite who, what or where we are, God got there before we arrived. He has a wonderful way of being with us and still meeting us at another place. We are so loved by God who wants only what's in our best interest. We will benefit so much better if we decide to walk in step with Him wherever He chooses to lead us. When they come, I pray I will never waste a wilderness moment.

Dear Father, thank You for those times when I was totally dependent you, away from all the familiar. You ministered to me in wonderful ways. I'm so much the better because of Your love and provision. In it all, You wanted to pull me to Yourself. Thank You Jesus for making my life so rich. In Your Name...Amen