Interactions in the Wilderness

I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. Hosea13:5 (New American Standard Bible)

I look back at the children of Israel during their wilderness wanderings and I marvel at the loving care God displayed to them time and time again. Just His miraculous provisions of food and water leave me in awe. For forty years God had them in a place which forced them to look to Him for their most basic needs to be met. How slow they often were to realize His availability to them. Lessons were learned and relearned. But each time they cried out He answered. Each time they sought Him He was found. If I am ever looking for a picture of God’s tender, compassionate heart I need look no farther than the account of His people in the wilderness.

Isn’t it strange though how often the children of Israel accused God of forsaking them when needs arose? As difficulties came the worst case scenarios played out in their minds and they gave voice to all the doubts. “We are going to die here” became their motto. They could not conceive of the fact that God would get them through each crises. Even when God came through for them each new test seemed to take them back to doubts and discouragement.

It is times like that when the practicality of Scripture becomes a reality in my own life. Each of us have our wilderness experiences in the Christian life. For whatever reason life becomes hard, our spiritual life becomes dry, we feel forsaken and forgotten, our resources no longer help us, and we find ourselves at a place when we have no choice but to look to God for our daily needs. We might even find ourselves giving voice to every doubt and fear that wells up inside us. “I am not going to make it through this one” becomes our motto. The answer?

Realize God leads us into and stays with us through the wilderness times. Review His awareness of, His words to, and His acts of kindness displayed on His people. Know that He is just as involved in your life! If nothing else, find one truth about God’s character and hold on to it. Trust Him even when all the evidence seems to be against you and Him. Wildernesses are the places God desires to display His power on your behalf.

Father, each time I find myself in a wilderness may I look for and sense Your presence. The opportunities will abound for You to act on my behalf. I give You praise! Amen.

He Knews My Name - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60&feature=related

Holiness is a furnace that transforms the men and women who enter it. - Eugene H.Peterson

Failed Attempts at Satisfaction

As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud, therefore they forgot Me. Hosea 13:6 (New American Standard Bible)

Satisfaction is derived when our needs and desires are fulfilled and we are gratified. And yet there is a danger when we have managed to reach that point through external means. Even when the very thing that is satisfying us came because of the graciousness of God. For it is at that point that we can very easily forget how much we need God. Troubles, depravation, rejection, and heartache make us profoundly aware of our need for God. Over abundance, comfort, and ease cause us to forget.

I find that the longer I am on this journey with God the more prone I am to pray, “Father, if it will cause me to forget You, turn from You, or live independent of You, don’t allow anything or anyone to satisfy me.” Sometimes the very thing I am looking to satisfy me is really an attempt to anesthetize myself from facing my own emptiness, pain, and sorrow. Those were things I wanted to avoid at all costs because I did not realize the simple truth that they were meant to bring me to the One who could actually heal, restore, and transform me.

God knows the one thing we are looking to for satisfaction. Be it material things, relationships, social status, individual accomplishments, education, etc… He loves us too much to allow it to become our “savior.” For a time it might work but eventually we find it is just a bandage on the gaping wounds of our soul.

For me it was relationships. I did not know all that I was looking for other individuals to do for me but I was on a search. Certain people could put me on a “high” and internal problems no longer seemed to exist. Little did I know their availability kept me from entering a deep, personal relationship with my heavenly Father. I was living with the illusion that everything was okay! God knew it was necessary to reveal the truth to me. He had to help me see the problem was not that I had problems. The problem was with whom I was turning to alleviate the pain, fill the void, and escape the truth. Out of love He has removed sources in order for me to finally turn to Him. I now admit life hurts but I am finding that God heals.

Father, thank you for not allowing true satisfaction to come from any other source besides Yourself. I praise You that the attempts failed. That in turn has led me straight to You. Amen.

Drawn With His Cords

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love. Hosea 11:4

It gives me a tender picture of God drawing me to Himself. But often there are cords that have to be removed first. For in my quest to find needs met through people, I wrap my own cords around them and around myself. These are cords that are meant to abstract something from them that I need, crave, or desire. I look to them for security, identity, happiness, peace, and a host of other things they are not really able to give me…..at least not in the amount and with the frequency that I want. I find myself tied to a source that is ill equipped to supply my need. Even though I know this, I refuse to change sources. When all the while God is standing, waiting to draw me with His own cords. Cords that are meant to tie me to Him as my source.

Ideally, He would have me cut the cords of my own making and allow myself and the other person to go free. But I am hindered from doing that. My own fears, insecurities, and hunger have me convinced if I let go of them I will be even emptier than I am when I am attached to them. I cannot see that everything I am looking for is being offered to me by my Father. I cannot imagine for one minute that He could satisfy and fulfill me beyond any person. I cannot imagine it because I have never experienced it.

The closest I came would be the times I got excited over something I had learned and ran to someone else to tell it to. Their excitement with me fed my need for approval. Their smile and positive response brought joy to me….but only for a short while. Then I would have to look for another opportunity to take another nugget of truth to them. It was as much an addiction to me as any drug. When they gave me what I wanted I lived on cloud nine. But when they weren’t available or willing to accommodate my insatiable appetite I walked hungry and disappointed. I could not seem to just enjoy being with God and living off His encouragement. I did not think it was possible.

Recently He removed the cords of my own doing and has begun to draw me with His cords. It is all so new I don’t even know what to make of it. But it has me wanting more. And unlike human sources, He is always available, always ready, always willing, and always able to meet my needs. I cannot wait to see what this journey looks like a year from now.

Father, You draw me with cords of love. Help me to cooperate with You. Amen.