Bible Verse: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19
Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:13; John 16:33; Joshua 14:6-14; Romans 4:18-21
“In this world you will have trouble,” Jesus said (John 16:33). He wasn’t kidding. Life can be hard. Thankfully, Jesus followed that with, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” Walking with Jesus is a lifelong journey, and we all experience seasons where our faith feels dry, where God seems distant when we wonder if God is hearing our prayers. We want God to give us a sign, any sign. These are the times when God is calling us to press in deeper.
I remember learning this lesson firsthand. After 25 years of employment with a company, working in a significant role, I was told that they wanted to “make a change.” This “change” led me into a 6-month journey of ups and downs, wondering what was next. There were some very low moments along the way. Through it all, I knew I had to keep pressing deeper into God and trust that He had a plan. My journey in the desert led me to my current role with Impactus. I had been an active supporter of the ministry for many years and attended my first Promise Keepers conference in 2001, not long after I gave my life to Jesus. It’s a story only God could write.
I knew the day my employment ended with that company that God had a plan, but there were times when my faith felt dry, and I wondered where God was. I simply had to press into my Bible reading and prayer time and believe God had the answers. He was calling me deeper into my relationship with Him as He was preparing me for the next season. I have had the privilege of serving the ministry for the past four years, and there is nothing else I would rather do.
Joseph was 17 when God gave him the dream of his destiny (Genesis 27:1-11), and was 30 when he became Governor of Egypt (Genesis 41:46). Caleb was 40 when he was sent to spy on Canaan, and was 85 when Joshua blessed him with the land of Hebron that Moses had promised to him 45 years earlier (Joshua 14:6-15). It took 25 years for Abraham to see God’s promise of a son be fulfilled (Genesis 12:4; Genesis 21:5).
God knows exactly what we’re going through and is always way ahead of us. We may feel lost in the wilderness, but God says, “Trust me; I know the way.” When things looked bleak for Israel, He told them, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). This is the same God who is with us.
In dry seasons when you feel like you’re wandering aimlessly in the desert, press deeper into Jesus and let Him press deeper into you. He “will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Prayer: Father, I am so thankful that you know exactly what I am going through right now, and I trust that you will do a new thing and make a way for me.
Reflection: We all have dry seasons, and you may be in one right now. What can you do “press in” to Jesus in a deeper way?
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