Wilderness Challenge: Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Wilderness Challenge:
Are you in
the wilderness?
What do you
do when you realize you are?
Where is
Jesus when we are wondering through those tough moments in our lives?
Is God hearing us, even when we can’t hear
Him?
Did we do
something wrong?
Is it
possible we did something right?
These are some questions all
Christians tend to examine when faced with troubles. First, I want to identify
the key word “wilderness”:
Wilderness has many meanings, such as a desert
or forest without civilization.
It can “feel” cold and dark at
times.
You “feel” isolated and abandoned.
You might even “feel” hungry and/or thirsty,
unable to find something to help you “feel” satisfied and quench that thirst in
your throat.
·
cold
·
dark
·
isolated
·
abandoned
·
hungry
·
thirsty
Prayer Time:
Prayer is
essential to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, have knowledge of His Will
and Word, have discernment of scriptures, and your circumstances. Feel free to
say your own prayer, or go along with the one below. Consider in your prayers
what I mentioned concerning being in the wilderness. Be honest with Him, He
knows what is already in your mind and heart. He loves hearing your voice and
your honest hurts.
Let’s pray:
Lord
Jesus, our wonderful Counselor, and Loving God and Father. You said you would
never leave us, nor forsake us. You say we can seek understanding and wisdom.
You are our Jehovah Jireh and El Shaddai. You are greater than our
circumstances. You are a wonderful Omniscient and Omnipotent Planner. Please
search our hearts so we can repent of our sins and forgive others who have hurt
us. We ask that you fill us with your Spirit.
Please reveal and guide us with knowledge of your Word, discernment, and wisdom
that can only be Yours to give. We ask for knowledge and understanding of why
we are in this wilderness and what you would have us understand and do. Thank you for the answered prayers, even if
they are no or wait. In Jesus’s name we pray, AMEN.
Scriptures
to Ponder:
In the books of Deuteronomy, Habakkuk,
and Romans, we will look many aspects of why we go through periods in
our walk with Jesus, in the wilderness.
And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So, He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:2-3, NKJV)
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NKJV)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:1-5, NKJV)
Verse By
Verse Overview:
Previously, I began explaining what “Be Filled”
meant and I also addressed verse one from the series I am working on from
Deuteronomy 8:1-5. I implore you to read
that blog first, to get a full understanding of the previous verse.
Context
matters!
The book
of Deuteronomy is a book of the laws that God set forth for the Israelites
after they left Egypt. These are ways to understand the need to change their
behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles from what they knew in Egypt. It was a
huge transition. God knew this and was very detailed in all aspects of their
lives, in order to help them be a holy nation of God.
Verse 2 and
3 are reasons being addressed by God, as to why the Israelites were led in the
desert for 40 years. They were in essence 11 days from comfort, but they were
not quite ready for God to take them into the land that He made for them. There is always a loving and considered
plan with God in all that happens.
Vs 1: Emphasizes the need for Israel to
purposefully protect, guard, and attend to every commandment God was giving
them in the book. In other words, pay close and thoughtful attention. He adds that this is so that they may grow as
a nation and enter the land that God promised. (See my previous blog to get
this verses teaching)
Vs.2: God said that He led them through
the wilderness through those 40 years because He wanted to humble them and test
them, in order to show them their own hearts. They needed to understand where
they truly stood amongst our Creator. He showed them that they needed Him,
through their ability or inability to follow those commandments.
Vs.3: He humbled them through feeling
hunger, seeing that God would be the one to provide for them, that they were
completely dependent upon Him. The manna was a food that could not be made.
Think back where this food would become rotten the next day. It was unable to
be kept. This is where the power of
my ministry lies. We are completely dependent upon the Word of God to provide
what we need in every aspect of our lives.
Digging
Deeper:
Verse 2-3.
The Israelites were saved and they were
right about to enter the promise land, or so they thought. No, God had a plan.
It was not what they thought. They were about to take a journey that would
inevitably lead them away from where they thought they were going. Now,
according to verse 2 and 3, we see that God had a reason for what seemed to be
a crazy loop in the wilderness. His first born (the Israelites) needed time to
grow up, be cleansed of the pagan ways of the Egyptians, and understand who God
was and is today to them, their loving, omnipotent, and omniscient Father.
As a parent of 6 kids and a teacher of
elementary students, I know that as a good parent or teacher, I need to think
ahead of my kids. I need to think about what is best for them, and I need to
consider who they are and what they each need. Most of all, I need to be
willing to allow them to experience harsh realities, so they can learn for
themselves what they need to work on and so that they will know where their
limits are. When they realize their limits, they seek their loved one, the
parent or teacher.
God sees us as His beloved children. Unlike a human parent on earth, God is able
to see into our intentions and hearts before we even seek Him or do what we
think is best for ourselves. God allows things in our lives, only if it help
us, others, and the kingdom. He wants to love on us and bless us in many ways.
Just like any loving father. (Read Matthew 7:7-12)
It is His desire that we trust Him with all
our needs and our wants. It is important that we understand that God is in
complete control of all, past-present-future aspects of our world and universe.
He loves you so much that He will ensure that whatever His will is for you,
reflects His glory and blesses you, as well as all those you come into contact
with. When you are off the path of what He calls you to, He provides you with
ways to get back in a gentle and patient manner. It is necessary to praise God,
even if you are going through a hard time. These trials and tribulations are
only there to strengthen us for something or someone in the future. It is
again, all for the glory of God. (Read Focus Verse Romans 5:3-5)
While you are in your wilderness, Jesus is
always there. He will not leave you, nor forsake you. His Spirit is there
speaking gently in your mind and heart words of encouragement. While we are
going through our time of tribulation, we are to have joy and praise God. (Read
Focus Verse Habakkuk 3:17-19) This
pleases God because it means that we trust Him within those circumstances, and
know that we are thankful that even though we don’t know the future, He has it
all planned out. He is our Jehovah Jireh and wonderful Father God in heaven.
Take some time to look in your past and see
what He allowed, and how it shaped you. Let’s praise Him for His
awesome help. The songs below are three songs that I sing and pray
when I want to praise Him during my storms. Besides singing and praying
during my hard times, I also serve God. I try to love on others and
serve others, rather than thinking about my circumstances. This also glorifies
God, and keeps Satan from taking your joy and peace. Loving others is a key way to help in times of hardship.
- Psalm 47: From Shane and Shane (Psalms Live Album)
- Praise You In This Storm: From Casting Crowns (Lifesong Album)
- In The Hands of the Potter: From Casting Crowns (Only Jesus Album)
Reflect on these verses and think about how they apply to today’s verse I addressed.
John 15:1-12, John 16:33, Romans 8:28-34, Romans 8:37, Psalm 139:1-24
Next time...
I will continue to plow through chapter 8. Also, I will share a recipe I have cooked at home.
I hope you were blessed and encouraged by the reading today. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Have a wonderful week!
CREDITS
NKJV
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for visiting. If you desire to comment or share, please keep your words pure and prayerfully. As believers, our witness to the world is always watched and seen, whether you know it or not. Shalom and May you be blessed. :) Matthew 5:6