Blossoms in the Desert
The trees have begun to blossom where I live.
Even so, there are still plenty of trees that are slowly recovering from the winter storm which occurred just a few weeks ago. When compared to their counterparts these trees seem to be barren, dry, and lifeless.
Yet, there is something so beautiful and hopeful about the arrival of springtime. The contrast between the tree in full bloom and the barren tree is like a cool river in an arid desert. It is a promise that eventually each one of these trees will once again be clothed in green. This reminds me of the lyric that says “things that we thought were dead are breathing in life again.”
Life is the same way with ever-changing seasons.
There are seasons where it feels like one is walking through the wilderness or desert. Perhaps it even feels like one is camped out at or stuck in these places. Such seasons are typically periods of refinement meant to prune away that which encumbers and hinders, while drawing you closer to the heart of God. However long these seasons may last, they are not meant to be forever. They do have an end.
Several people in the Bible spent literal time in the wilderness: Moses, the Israelites, David, John the Baptist, Jesus, etc. Others had a figurative time in the wilderness like Joseph did when he was stuck in the Egyptian prison, wrongly accused of a misdeed he did not commit. One thing is for sure, no one left the wilderness the same way they went in.
Today I would like to focus on the story of David.
David was a teenage shepherd who was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king. He slew Goliath and won many victories in battle. He even became King Saul's son-in-law.
But life took a turn when Saul became jealous of the hand of God on David. David was forced to flee into the wilderness to preserve his own life.
Now, David spent his time in the wilderness quite differently than the children of Israel. The Israelites complained, disrespected/mocked their God-appointed leaders, and built a golden calf to worship. David chose to worship, pray, and seek the Lord. He even honored the king who sought to kill him because God had originally anointed that king. What a contrast!
During his time hidden away in the wilderness David wrote this psalm:
O God, You are my God;
I earnestly search for You.
My soul thirsts for You;
my whole body longs for You
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen You in Your sanctuary
and gazed upon Your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise You!
I will praise You as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to You in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise You with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of You,
meditating on You through the night.
Because You are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.
I cling to You;
Your strong right hand holds me securely.
Psalm 63:1-8 (New Living Translation)
David had every right to lose heart and act like his ancestors did. Instead of hardening his heart, he allowed God to use the harsh conditions of living in the wilderness to mold him and draw him closer to God.
Even though he faced hardship, he found hope as well as refreshment in the presence of God.
And once the wilderness season ended in David's life he got to step into the fulfillment of that which was promised to him as a young lad tending his father's sheep.
David was far more blessed exiting the wilderness than he had been entering it, both spiritually and in the natural.
Be like that tree mentioned in Psalms that is planted by the water. Let your roots grow down deep in God’s Word and His love. Get to know the Father’s heart for you. Allow Him to fill you up to overflowing so you can share that same love with those around you.
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