Those Who Have Gone Before Us

In John 16 and verse 33, Jesus gives us a promise.

He says, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

If we read the whole chapter we see that Jesus is telling them that He will leave soon, that He is returning to the Father. He talks about the work of the Holy Spirit. He tells them they will be scattered. (When He is crucified.)

In every season that I will be discussing in this series there is some kind of "trouble."

In the wilderness we come face to face with our doubts. We question whether God is still present? And yes, we wonder if He even exists.

But, if we walk in the wilderness with even a mustard seed sized faith, even in the face of these questions, we will trust that God is present.

Sometimes it means reminding ourselves of what He has done before. Reminding ourselves that we serve a good and beautiful God who loves us dearly and sent His Son to die for us.

So yes, of course, He is always present in the desert.

Even if He is sometimes silently working in the background on a plan that we do not yet understand.

We have heard of the Israelites in the desert. How many of them perished because of their unfaithfulness to God.

We have heard of Aaron and Moses, being led into the wilderness by God.

We have heard of John the Baptist who lived and ministered in the wilderness.

And we know that Jesus spent His fair amount of time in the wilderness. Whether it be due to the Spirit prompting Him or Him seeking shelter or even being baptized.

Many have gone before us through the wilderness.

There may be days when the only comfort we have is knowing that Jesus promises He would never leave or forsake us. Believing against the circumstances surrounding us that God is still at work in our lives, even when we do not see Him center stage.

Blessings.