“Who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.” – Deuteronomy 8:16
Standing at the end of their 40 year journey through the desert, Moses here reminds a new generation of Israelites of God’s overwhelming and undeserved goodness toward them. God kept them in the desert because of their parents’ sin but He fed them miraculously and used their time there to form their character and identity as a nation under Him. Israel spent a LONG time in the desert, but it was for their greater good.
Many people of faith spend long seasons in the desert. Perhaps you already have or perhaps you’re there right now. The desert is where God feels distant or opposed to you, day after day, week after week. In the desert it feels like you move from one bad situation to the next, over and over again. You can’t tell when the desert is going to end but you sure wish it would. The desert tests your faith like nothing else. Will you still believe in God, His power, and His goodness when you’re in the desert?
Time in the desert is intentional and it’s meant for your greater good. There are two key truths to hold onto whenever you find yourself in the desert as a follower of Jesus. The first is that you aren’t actually alone, even if you feel like it. You’ve been sealed by the Holy Spirit and united with Christ. He’s always with you. God is always present and listening, so don’t let your feelings convince you otherwise. The second is that the desert really is for your greater good. Trust in that when the desert seems painful and endless.
While a season in the desert could be punishment for sin, it’s generally given as a blessing. In the desert, our faith is matured, deepened, and tested. We must dig deeper into Scripture than ever before and let it humble us. Nobody enjoys being in the desert, but God gives us the desert for our greater good. At the end of our time in the desert, if we’ve walked in faith, we will know God more fully and personally. God uses the desert to shape us for ministry to others, to be able to testify to His wisdom, goodness, and presence in hard circumstances, and to comfort others as we have been comforted. Don’t fear the desert. Don’t hate the desert. Trust God in the desert. #FollowJesus