When things get difficult in our lives and we’re feeling lonely, afraid, barren, tired or discouraged, it’s encouraging to think that the Wilderness is where God has so often revealed Himself and where He has worked so powerfully in the lives of His people. As it was for Abraham and others with him, Moses and the Israelites, David a man after God’s own heart, and now Jesus and the people of God who are united to Him.
“Wilderness” is a really interesting kind of word in Hebrew. The word is מִדְבָּר (midvar) and it means wasteland, barren, virtually empty of habitation, etc. But the striking thing about this that I didn’t realize is that the roots of this ancient Hebrew word מִדְבָּר (midbar, or midvar) can apparently be translated as a “word” – and can also therefore be connected to “mouth”, or something that is an instrument of speech. And according to the Ancient Hebrew Research Centre, “in the ancient Hebrew mind words are ‘things’ and are just as ‘real’ as food or other ‘things’. When a word is spoken to another it is ‘placed in the ears’ no different than when food is given to another it is ‘placed in the mouth’”.
Something I need to remember whenever feeling overwhelmed, lost, empty…that “wilderness” experiences in my life can be kind of like the “mouth” of God, which He uses to speak and work, no matter how unpleasant circumstances may be.
It’s amazing how God uses those times to totally expose our vulnerabilities, bring us to the end of ourselves, show us that He is indeed “near the brokenhearted”, and that He is indeed the One who is in control, not us. And as a result, it seems His work in our lives is somehow speeded up and intensified compared to “normal”, quieter, settled times.
The 63rd Psalm for example, just one of a number of David’s great songs about God’s amazing love and Grace and care in his life in the wilderness! And to think how through all of that, God produced such profound grace in David’s heart that he actually let the hate-filled Saul live, when he was totally vulnerable and providentially placed at David’s mercy. And when the only sensible thing to do “humanly” after being hunted by Saul like an animal for years, would have been to kill him. And when David’s men were urging him to do just that, no doubt convinced that this would be the only response that would properly fulfill God’s just and perfect will as they saw it! (1Sam 24:1-7). Makes me wonder how I would have responded in that situation??
But David still thought of Saul not so much as an enemy, but as “the Lord’s anointed” … and treated him with totally incredible and undeserved Christ- like grace. Wow!
Another powerful reminder for us to be hungering and thirsting for the Lord to work more of all of this…of all of the fullness of Himself, that is…in our own hearts. And therefore to even be able to, as James put it, “count it all joy” when we find ourselves in various “wilderness” experiences. And to remember with Paul that “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Blessings! Bruce
