Psalm 68: 7-10

David, the writer of Psalm 68, writes of God being the God of the wilderness. Wilderness. What do you envision when you read that word?  I picture a dry barren land that offers no or very little provision for life. Yet that is exactly the place God took Israel after delivering them from bondage to the Egyptians. He took them to the wilderness!  There was little vegetation. There were no streams of running water.  The blinding sun beat down unmercifully with no relief.  This was not a land of provision. Especially not for several million people! Yet God brought them there.

Maybe your situation is similar to Israel’s. You have been in a place of bondage. Maybe it’s been bondage to a habit, to another person, or bondage in a situation. You are finally free!  You are so happy to be free, and yet as you view your new situation, it seems that God had brought you to a wilderness – a place that looks like there is no provision.  But what do we learn from verses nine and ten? They record, “Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your heritage as it languished; your flock found a dwelling in it, in your goodness, O God. You provided for the needy.”  Even in the wilderness – a barren place with no provision­ – God provided! Not only did He provide, He restored His heritage!  He restored them to Himself and to the identity He had planned for them. There in the wilderness they found a dwelling place – a place live and to rest secure – in the provision and goodness of God.

Isn’t that where God wants us dwelling – in His provision and goodness? He may have led you into the wilderness to show you that it is He, not we, who provides.  Turn your eyes upon Him. Seek Him. Stay close to Him. Listen. Follow His leading. He will provide “rain in abundance” – provision – for you in your wilderness. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) Learn (and this is a process) to dwell – to live and to rest secure– in the provision and goodness of God.

May you see Him meet your every need, and may you experience His great goodness and loving presence within your wilderness.

Blessings,

Lisa