Worship VI Day 3 Streams In The Wilderness

Mark 1:9-15
Isaiah 43
Jeremiah 31:2-3
John 16:25-33
Psalm 30:1-12

Worship VI, Day 3

Wilderness.
When most people think of wilderness, dark, foreboding, stagnant, and lonely thoughts come to mind. It is a place no one willingly volunteers to go, it’s even somewhere believers pray we won’t walk through.

While we often associate “wilderness” with a dark time in life, without hope, and full of fear, over the past few months, God has been slowly revealing the purpose of the wilderness to me.

Jesus Himself walked in a literal wilderness, testing Him spiritually, mentally, and physically immediately before He entered full-time ministry.

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:12-13)

Immediately following Christ’s baptism, the Spirit sent Jesus to the wilderness. God knew He was sending His Son straight into a dry, lonely place to be tempted, yet He still sent Him.
For me, the timing of Jesus’ wilderness season is the most interesting part.
It is placed between Jesus’ baptism and His active, earthly ministry.

God intended the wilderness to be a place of preparation for higher calling. Similar to an athlete training intensely before competing, pushing themselves as far as possible so the muscle will stretch, grow, and strengthen, this is God’s intention for wilderness seasons for believers.

In my own personal journey, I have been in a wilderness season.
Questioning God.
Challenged by my circumstances.
Drawn to prayer.

Like Jesus was tempted to bow to Satan and selfish desires, I’ve experienced my own lures…
I’ve been tempted to walk away from things I know God called me into.
I’ve questioned if God was worthy of my trust.
I’ve been challenged to cling to the truth of who God says I am and what He has called me to do, despite how I feel.

While this season has undoubtedly been the hardest of my life, it has also been rewarding.
It has been a season of immense pain, sadness, brokenness and desperation.
But it has also been filled with so much HOPE.

Hope because God is faithful.
Hope because God is working it out for my good and His glory.
Hope because He is preparing me for whatever comes next.
During this time, Streams in the Wilderness, a song written by two amazing women in my church family, has been close to my heart.
Because in every wilderness, God is faithful, and hope is sure.

In this barren place
Where I can’t see Your face
I’m holding onto You
You say You’ll never leave
You have good plans for me
I’m holding onto You

You make streams in the wilderness
As You pour Your Spirit out, rain living water down
I will see Your presence here
Your glory all around, Your glory all around
This holy ground

It is in the wilderness where God pours His living water on us, fueling us moment by moment. We can experience the life-giving gift of His presence in these dry lands. Not only is He making Streams in the Wilderness, but this barren ground provides the opportunity to experience His glory and presence all over us.

In the space between
Your promise and what’s seen
I’m holding onto You
Even as I wait
Wrapped up in Your grace
I’m holding onto You

Sisters, many of us are walking through hard places in life right now.
Marriages on the rocks.
Sick children.
Death of people close to us.

Our hearts are breaking.
Our nights are filled with tear drenched pillowcases.
Our smiles are painted on to mask the hurt we really feel.

We wonder if this is what God intended for our lives.
We question why we experience such hardship.
(Psalm 77:7-9)

But if we claim the name of Christ,
then we can view our wilderness journey through the lens of Hope.

We can walk through the fire and temptation knowing God is allowing it for His greater purpose and glory, and our good. (Romans 8:18, 24-28)
No wilderness wandering is wasted!

The key to victoriously surviving wilderness seasons is to remain deeply rooted in the Word of God, just as Jesus did in His time of temptation by the enemy. He pointed to God when His own, human strength, was surely ended. Here, in the lowest of times, trusting God is the ultimate form of genuine praise.

Even here I will praise you
Even now You’re now my confidence
Jesus You’ve already overcome

I will see You move

Sisters, let’s remember God has allowed this wilderness for a reason.
So, let’s link arms, put our minds and hearts into God’s Word, and trust God is doing something eternally amazing in our lives!

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