Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Monday, October 5th, 2009
Title: Overcoming the Wilderness
Text: Isaiah 35:3-4 (NIV)
3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."
Have you ever been for a hike in the woods? I’m not talking about a little jaunt through the trees in the local park, but an actually journey through the woods? You know, one of those stepping over the downed trees, push through the briars, find the easiest way to cross the stream type journeys in the wilderness? There were times when I was in the Army and my reconnaissance platoon would be out training and we would find ourselves smack in the middle of the woods trying to get out. Sometimes our stay in the woods would be relatively easy to get out of. Other times the circumstances were quite unbearable. The obstacles seemed too great and we would sometimes even question if we’d be able to overcome what was lying in front of us. We would have to push on no matter what the climate was like. It could be snowing so heavily that each step seemed as if we were sloshing through quick sand and we couldn’t even see our hands before our faces. Other times the heat was so great you felt as if you were about to pass out at any moment. Through the light of day and the darkest of nights, it was not a fun place to be in.
We did have some things that would lend us a helping hand and give us the added bonus we needed to overcome the obstacles and make it out of these experiences. We constantly trained. We trained to make our bodies physically stronger so that when we faced the physically demanding environments, we could push through. We intellectually trained our minds to become proficient with such things as using the compass, reading the maps and navigating by using the stars so that when we needed to reply on things other than our physical strength we would know what to do and how to do it effectively. And would also rely on the people around us to be physically and emotionally ready to help us take each step and overcome the wilderness we were trying to escape from. And you know what? It worked. Every time, it worked.
There are so many times that each of us find ourselves in the deep, dark, dangerous and scary wilderness of this world. I’m not talking about being physically lost in the Appalachian Mountains. I’m referring to the situations of daily life and dealing with the obstacles and stresses this world throws at each of us. There are times when you feel as if the circumstances of your life may be choking you out, suffocating you, pulling you deeper and deeper away from the safety and security of the light and into the black hole of despair, depression and disillusionment. It is so easy to allow the downers of our lives to defeat us and define our entire existence. The world finds great pleasure in watching us fold up, give up and turn away from one who truly loves us. This attack on us is no different than what Jesus went through. He too experienced the dark nights of the soul and had to deal with the voice of the world echoing in his head to give up and give in. But He never did. Instead Jesus kept His eyes on and His trust in God.
That should be our same response when we find ourselves in the hard situations we will encounter. Notice I didn’t say “May” encounter? Maybe you haven’t found yourself there, but understand that you will. This world will throw it all at you, and we must prepare ourselves now for how we will respond when it does. We prepare ourselves through the relationships we build with other Christ-Followers, through the times we spend emotionally and mentally preparing ourselves through spending time in The Word of God and through settings we find in fellowship such as small groups and other environments that help us grow in our understanding of who God is and what we are called to do as God’s ambassadors in this world. Even when it seems too hard to overcome.
So when you feel the world collapsing around you, the overwhelming and suffocating feeling like a huge wet blanket is being pressed upon your face and you start to lose all sense on where to turn, take a second, slow down, call out for the one that has never left your side and will enable you to recall what you know is the Truth and how you can and will overcome the wilderness. Seek. Prepare. Use. Overcome!
A Few Moments with God:
- Have you ever felt lost in the wilderness? What happened?
- What was the outcome?
- How did you prevail?
- What did you use to make it out of the wilderness? What people were there to help you?
- Have you ever helped others out of the wilderness?
- How did God use you in those situations?
- In what other ways can God use you to help others in the wilderness they are currently in?
A Few Minutes with God:
God, I know that it is easy to trust in you and stay focused on you when life is wonder and situations are not difficult. But I know that those are not always the circumstances we find ourselves in. Life is hard. We will face adversity. Help me to prepare myself now to withstand the wilderness situations I am sure to encounter throughout my lifetime. Help me to build the habit of staying focused on you and all fully rely and trust on your presence in my life and in this world. And through this to make myself available to be your presence for those around me who will walk or are currently walking in the wilderness. Amen.
