Grace in the Wilderness
Today's Verse:
Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. ~Jeremiah 31:2
Jeremiah the prophet had the task of prophesying to Judah that they would be sorely chastened by God for their rebellion and rejection of God through flagrant idol worship. The chastening involved the sword, famine, pestilence, and captivity. He also had a ministry that gave comfort and a promise of better days to come. After the people had been taken captive to Babylon, the Lord gave Jeremiah a message that promised deliverance at the end of seventy years. God spoke about “the people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness.” This morning, I would like for us to consider the greatness of that thought: finding grace in the wilderness!
Grace in the wilderness is a shaded refuge.
The desert wilderness is a wide-open expanse of sand, hot temperatures, and a hostile environment. People who are not adequately prepared for a journey in the wilderness will die from thirst and exposure. Heatstroke and dehydration are common afflictions. Most of the time, there is little to no shade that a person can find as respite from the scorching sun. However, grace in the wilderness is God’s guarantee of a shaded refuge for our weary soul. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." As God did for Jonah when He made a gourd to grow and to give him shaded relief from the brutal rays of the sun, grace in the wilderness is our hiding place in God’s love, mercy, and concern at a time when we feel beaten and defeated. Let His grace be your refuge.
Grace in the wilderness is the soul’s replenishment.
Those who went into captivity were very far away from home. They had not been in the temple for the ceremonies and sacrifices. Their weary souls became depleted and needy for help. Grace in the wilderness is when we find the water of life at a needy time to sustain and replenish our weary soul. We are replenished with strength, encouragement, and purpose for the journey ahead. It is God’s love healing the bitterness that we have fallen into. It is mercy that reminds us that things could be worse than they are. It is courage to pick ourselves up and to keep going even though we know the journey is long. Let grace be your replenishment.
Grace in the wilderness is a spiritual reminder.
Grace in the wilderness is a reminder that we must stay close to the Lord so that we do not fall into this situation again. It is a reminder that without the Lord’s mercies, we would be consumed. It is a reminder that our sins placed us in a wilderness situation. It is a reminder that we need the Lord and that we need Him to be very close to us. “He giveth more grace.” His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Let grace be your constant reminder!
Grace in the wilderness is a satisfying relationship.
Grace in the wilderness is a restoration of our fellowship with the Lord. There is nothing more satisfying and joyful than when we walk with the Lord in sweet fellowship. It is having our sins forgiven, our heart purged, and our conscience void of offense before God and man. It is having the pathway cleared once again. We are satisfied with the Lord and do not desire anything to come between us and Him. It is a love for God that has no distractions or interferences.
Is your life facing a time of barrenness, emptiness, trial, and loneliness? If so, seek His face and allow His grace to satisfy your need in your wilderness journey. Discover the blessing of grace in the wilderness.
Have a grace-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 30-31
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