(Second in a series on journeying through life’s desert places).
O God, when You went forth before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness, Selah. The earth quaked; the heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel. You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God; You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched. -Psalm 68:7-9
The Lord reigns everywhere, including the desert! Psalm 68 is David’s remembrance that God provides riches for Israel even in the wilderness. Since God was faithful to Israel, He would be faithful to him and us as well!
In Part 1, we dispelled the fear of going the wrong direction in the desert. Especially when the stakes are so high, we want His guidance to be all the more certain. We can rest assured that He is leading. He promises to lead, so no fear (James 1:5-8).
Another common fear in the desert and God’s provision:
- Will the conditions totally overwhelm and overcome me?
In Psalm 68, God “marched through the wilderness.” This march is that of a Victorious King. Paul “saw” this too: “He always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Do you see it? Meditate on these verses. Keep in mind, Paul endured vast stretches of desert places, in the form of cruel persecutions and constant sufferings. He was whipped, beaten, betrayed, stoned and imprisoned. Like Paul, our bodies and emotions may be banged and bruised because of illness or trials. Yet he rose above all of his circumstances. His secret: “I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). We are spiritual beings who overcome through His supernatural strengthening of our spirits. “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Even if your body is weakening, let Him strengthen your inner person. Ask Him to open your eyes to the reality of His victory in the wilderness. God is our Stronghold.
