When You're Dying in the Desert

Please read Exodus 14-16 and Acts 2 if you're interested in reading the entire Bible this year.


In the desert (wilderness), the whole community grumbled... and the Lord heard them. -Exodus 16:2, 9 (NIV)

In today's reading the Israelites are no longer slaves in Egypt but they are not yet in the Promised Land. They're no longer what they once were but they're not yet what they're going to be. In fact, they are in the desert (16:2), that in between time.

I was taught in seminary that when you encounter the wilderness or the desert in scripture, you shouldn't view it as just a geographical reality; it's also a spiritual reality. God uses the wilderness or the desert to mold people and to prepare people. In scripture, the desert or the wilderness is often a place where faith is tested and deepened.

I think the same thing happens today. The Christian will know times of wandering in the desert. You may think that God is punishing you but let me suggest that God may instead be preparing you. You're like the Israelites: you're not where you were (which we often romanticize into a place that was better than it actually was), but you're not yet where you're going to be either.

Most of us don't like wandering in the desert or wilderness. But here's something that God has revealed to me as I reflect back on the wilderness experiences of my life: I've learned things during those times that I may not have ever learned otherwise. Sure, I would have rather read a book about life in the desert. I would rather not wander in the wilderness... but thanks be to God for using those experiences to help me grow deeper and stronger in my faith.

Today's scripture also reminds that, when you're in the wilderness, God will provide. The Israelites grumbled and complained about not having enough to eat and God provided. Now it's worth pointing out that even though God provided, the Israelites still had to work. God sent manna and quail, but they had to go collect it. Trust God to provide for you in the wilderness, but take some initiative to help get yourself out of the wilderness.

One final thing about the wilderness experience: God reminded the Israelites that they were to take time to worship and rest. They could collect manna and quail for six days but on the seventh day they were to rest and worship.

I'm amazed at the number of people, when going through a wilderness in their own lives, who quit coming to church. They cut themselves off from fellowship, the encouragement, and the inspiration of Christian community. Maybe they blame God. Maybe they're embarrassed that their life is not a Normal Rockwell painting. I don't know. When you're in the wilderness, you need the church more than ever.

You can be sure that you'll experience a time of wandering in the wilderness or thirsting in a desert. You won't like it and you won't want it. But God can use it to draw you closer to Him. You can be sure that God will provide for you in the wilderness, although you will likely play a role in getting yourself out of the wilderness. And when you're in the wilderness, you need Christian community more than ever. The last time I checked, Sabbath isn't a suggestion; it's a commandment.

May God grant you the grace to trust God with your desert spaces and places. May you see evidence of God's provision and may you do what you can for yourself as you seek to survive. And may you make time for worship and rest. It'll help get you to the place where God wants you to be.