Theme of the Week: Pressing In
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
Seasons in the desert are inevitable. A life following Jesus does not mean a life free from trials. Jesus himself told us in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have trouble.” But he also said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Walking with Jesus is a lifelong journey. We will experience seasons where our faith feels dry, where God seems distant, and 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 learned this lesson firsthand, not that long ago. After 25 years with the same company in a significant role, I was told that they wanted to make a change. It began a six-month journey of ups and downs, wondering what was next, with 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 | Promise Keepers Canada. It’s a story only God could write, as I have 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.
I knew the day I was let go that God had a plan, but there were times when my faith felt dry, and I wondered where God was. I had to press into my Bible reading, my prayer time, and believe that God had the answers. He was calling me deeper into my relationship with him as he was preparing me for the next season.
Joseph was 17 when God gave him the dream of his destiny and was 30 when he became governor of Egypt. 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 45 years earlier. It took 25 years for Abraham to see God’s promise of a son be fulfilled.
God knows exactly what we’re going through and is always way ahead of us. We may feel like we’re lost in the wilderness with no way out, but God says to trust him because he knows the way: “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
In the dry season, 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.”
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