The Wilderness Times

by Pastor Holly Johnson

We as Christians often face times in the wilderness after seasons of great victory. Imagine the Israelites experience as they took an exhilarating walk between two massive walls of water. Just as they stepped safely onto dry land, they watched the same walls of water that protected them close in death upon their enemies. They felt invincible, they celebrated and danced, and they felt they would never doubt the faithfulness of Almighty God. However, just a few short days later they were hot, tired, and thirsty as they wandered aimlessly in a desert filled with scorpions and serpents. No longer were they praising God and dancing before Him. Instead they were complaining to Moses saying, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt? To kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

What about you? Do you miss that wonderful awe-inspiring time of being consumed and surrounded by the presence and blessings of God? Do you believe that God delivered you from the power of Satan to leave you wandering in a desert of confusion, defeat, and silence? Never! God has a purpose for the dry times. He humbles us, tests us, and allows us to see the true nature of our hearts. These dry times sift the murmurers, the complainers, and the rebellious just as the wheat is separated from the chaff. God is watching during the dry times to see if we are seeking His face, or merely seeking His hand. Do we desire His presence or simply what He can “do” for us. If our heart is after God, we will love Him, obey Him, and seek Him even during the wilderness times. Those seeking the benefits of the promise and not the “Promiser” Himself will faint and give up while in the desert places.

If we focus on our needs or on our problems and not on Him, discouragement and heaviness will overtake us. We must keep our eyes on the things that are eternal. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Corinthians 4:17, NKJV). The sufferings and trials that we experience in our wilderness, compared with our eternal rewards, are considered “light”.

It all comes down to one question. In the tough times of life, who is the center of our focus - the Lord or ourselves? The wilderness is not a time to lay down our weapons and give up. It is the place to keep the vision before you no matter how the circumstances appear. No matter how tough things seem to be, remember “With men it is impossible, but no with God: for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). Press on through your tough times…. Press on through your wilderness… Press on “Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest” (Isaiah 32:15).

Your bountiful harvest is coming.. Don’t give up!!

Pastor Holly Johnson