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| The Wilderness Experience |
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7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,
And saw My works forty years.
Hebrews 3:7-9
When we think of the wilderness we think of a place that is uninhabited, and is undisturbed by human activity. We can also think of it as an empty or pathless region. It is a place that if you were to find yourself there, you would feel lost, afraid, and alone. The children of Israel were famous for being led through the wilderness and for wandering 40 years in the wilderness. They hated being in the wilderness and would often complain to Moses and the LORD about being in that place of loneliness and hopelessness. Why did they have to wander 40 years in the wilderness? They had to wander 40 years because of their disobedience. They had the opportunity to enter into the promised land, but because of their lack of faith God was displeased with them and as a chastisement for their unbelief one generation died in the wilderness. God actually allowed them to be in the wilderness for a purpose. That purpose was to build their faith so that when it came time to possess the land once again they would be ready. It was God's intention to test their hearts. The test was not so much for God, but for Israel's self-realization that their love for and faith in God was lacking. This wilderness experience was brought upon the Israelites due to their own choosing. How many times have we found ourselves in a wilderness situation due to our own doing?
When we are in the wilderness we feel far from God, we feel alone, confused, scared,hopeless, and even angry at God for allowing all these difficult situations to come into our lives. We forget, that we were the ones that left God and didn't trust Him, so because we failed the test and the test proved our own failure and short-comings we have to go back to school so to speak to learn to trust God again so He can bring us into that wonderful place of promise, peace, and blessing that we have longed for.
As I have meditated on this, the Holy Spirit showed me that even though we may be the wilderness and that we feel far from God, He is right there providing for us the whole time. God gave the children of Israel manna in the wilderness to eat. They never went hungry! Granted, it was not milk, honey, and pomegranates, but God was there to care for them, until they got their spiritual act together. God is like that with me and you. Even though we may not be walking in obedience to God and acting in faith, He is faithful to us anyways! So if you find yourself in a wilderness experience right now, you can get out of that wilderness as quick as you got into it. Let me give you a biblical illustration: Remember when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem and forgot him there? They started their journey back to Nazareth and were gone for a day before they realized Jesus was not with them. They had to return to Jerusalem and looked for 3 more days! They finally found Him in the temple courts! It is an extraordinary story, but the point I want to make here is that once they realized they had left Jesus they had to return to a place where they knew they would find Him. The best place you can find God is right where you left Him! What is that He told you to do and you didn't do it? Where is it that He told you to go, but you like Jonah went the other direction? In order for us to pass the test of the wilderness experience we have to return to the place where we left Him. So if you are so lost that you can't find your way back call out to Him and you will soon find out He will hear you and lead you back!
Remember, the wilderness experience is our own choosing. Choose to leave it behind and enter into your promised land. Go back to where you left the LORD and do what He told you to do. Then you will enter into that land of peace, promise, and blessing! |
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| To add a comment to "The Wilderness Experience" |
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| November 18, 2008 |
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| Boy, can I relate to this.......ya'd think that I'd learn........or quit being so durn stubborn. I know God just sits there shaking his head and laughing at me! |
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| November 18, 2008 |
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| ENJOY IN HIS LEADING |
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| November 18, 2008 |
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| Bless you Brother... this is a blog custom made for me...and ...my precious Amanda Joy. God is definitely speaking through you my friend. Thank you. |
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| November 18, 2008 |
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Cindy: we must be insane! What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over yet expecting different results! We must be crazy!...we'll get it right eventually....Thank God for His patience!
Jacob: God Bless You Brother in your Mission work for the Kingdom!
Robin: It is a tough time, but God will see you through He is always faithful to us. |
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| November 19, 2008 |
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Brother Todd, excellent study, and I wish I didn't make things so hard on myself. I am trying to learn this and trying see that my wilderness is of my own fault mostly, not all but 98% of the time... I think finally I am getting it, only half my life to get here... I think it is important that we open up to the fact that we put out self here, by bad chooses or pride, or what ever it is... we need to forgive ourselves and go back where we left God...
Now I realize that sometime other people put you there like in cases of abuse, ( that will have to ask God about.) Because I don't understand that one, but Joyce Meyer had dealt with that and she is a good influence, how to change your life around, but you can't do it with out Jesus... sorry got off track...
Thank you Brother Todd for teaching us, awesome post! God bless you. |
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| November 19, 2008 |
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| Marilyn: You rough experiences have made you sweet rather than bitter. We do put ourselves in tough spots,but God is always faithful to us and we usually come out ot the wilderness stronger and better than ever. I intend to do a series on this and will cover what you brought up. Some trials and tests are not our doing and I am well aware of that. Proud of you and tank you, for loving Jesus! |
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| November 19, 2008 |
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I could not finish reading this blog....oh, it is good, but painful. Living in the wilderness for so many years, life is .....(no words). The only hope I have is that hopefully one day...this too shall pass.
Thanks brother~
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! |
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| November 19, 2008 |
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| Cheryl: Just cry out to Jesus He will lead you back to where you need to be. It will pass and the joy of the LORD will return. |
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| November 19, 2008 |
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| Reminds me of the poem Footsteps in the Sand. He is always there right beside us, never leaves us, never forsakes us and is waiting for us to yield to the temptation to do our own thing. Thanks for the reminder Todd that there is an end to the wilderness when we follow Him and listen and do His will. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving, Wish you would be here with us, but you will be in our hearts. |
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| November 19, 2008 |
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No matter how many steps we take away from God, all it takes is one step back!
God can plot a course from wherever you are!
Good word Todd!
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| November 19, 2008 |
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Mom: There is indeed and end to the wilderness when we follow Him and listen and do His will. Great comment and powerful truth. Kind of reminds me of when you used to enjoy whipping me as a boy. I could make it hard on myself by squirming around or I could take it and get it over with. We definitely make it harder on ourselves than it has to be.
Michael: 1 step...metanoia....to change one's mind, to change directions. Amen! |
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| November 24, 2008 |
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speak to me, speak to me and teach me..........thank you |
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