THURSDAY 26 May, 2016

The Way of the Wilderness

So David said to Ittai, "Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness. - 2 Samuel 15:22-23

David approved Ittai, and he passed over with his men and their families. Notice the great sorrow of the people, who fled, as they crossed over the brook they wept loudly. Once they were safely across, David also crossed over the brook Kidron, where rains caused water to flow through the valley. They went toward the way of the wilderness. Instead of a palace or well-kept lands they would live in the harsh barren places.

Jesus Himself was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted of the devil (John 4:1-11). He also crossed over the brook Kidron into the garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1). These were some of the most troubling times, of testing and suffering the Lord had on earth. Yet there was the joy set before him to help Him endure.

When we are going through our own testing’s and troubles we can feel as if we are in a wilderness. The season can be long with a bleak future; we do not know whether we will live or die!  Yet God is there with us, in the wilderness or valley experiences that are harsh. He teaches us to trust Him and we learn of His faithfulness as He leads us to better times:

As theypass through the Valley of Baca, [weeping] they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion (Psalm 84:6-8).

Are you in a wilderness or valley experience? God will give you the strength you need to see you through to better times.

My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
~Psalm 73:26~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!