Sunshine for Seniors

Isaiah 43:19 says: " I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

Do you sometimes find yourself in the wilderness or the desert in your soul? Do you wonder if the Lord has forgotten you?  Are you thirsting for a refreshing from the Lord and cannot find it? You desire to come to a spiritual oasis for relief from the dryness and barrenness of your soul and in your mind's eye there is no green thing. One wonders how Paul could say. "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil. 4:11).

Let us take a look at desert experiences of others that might give you some insight to your own circumstances:

Consider Moses, he was brought up in the house of royalty knowing the whole time that he was chosen of God to do a great thing. He finds himself on the backside of the desert tending to his father-in-law's sheep. Imagine his position- he was a well educated and experienced man! But it was in this desert of life that he saw the burning bush and experienced the very presence of God according to chapter 3 of Exodus.

Think of Jacob, a man caught in his own traps, exiled from home, and sleeping in the desert with a stone for a pillow. But it was there that he saw the hosts of angels and received the blessing of God that chnaged his life around (Genesis 28).

Elijah, a mighty prophet for God, running for his life in a deep despair. In the wilderness, an angel ministered to Elijah and supplied all of his physical and spiritual needs (I Kings 19).

Again, in the New Testament we can see Philip in the desert, taken from a successful ministry to be thrust into a desert place with one lone chariot in view. But Philip brought the Gospel to the eunuch, in that chariot, and saw him receive eternal life and follow the Lord in baptism (Acts 8).

Maybe you are plodding your way through a desert right now. If so, please remember, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  II Corinthians 12:9

Taken from the Sword of the Lord Newspaper.