The Wilderness

 The 3rd chapter of Exodus tells the story of Moses and his encounter with God on "the backside of the desert." In effect, in the wilderness. I doubt Moses had an expectation of this. The wilderness is usually the place where we think God is absent. We've little idea of how present He really is. Moses didn't. Neither do we. Yet the witness of Scripture is that there is not a better or more intimate place to meet with Him then in whatever particular wilderness we may find ourselves in.

Moses' encounter began with his seeing a burning bush. When he saw it, he had a choice. Did he go to see why it burnt, or did he continue on his way, tending his flock. Scripture says that "he turned aside." He went to the bush, to the fire, while he was in the most barren part of the desert wilderness. And it was there that God spoke to Him. From Scripture, it seems obvious that this was the first time he ever heard the Father's voice. He certainly never had while he lived as a Prince of Egypt. Killing an Egyptian who'd been abusing a fellow Jew had led him to flee Egypt. He didn't think anyone would find him here, least of all God....but He did. At the burning bush, in the deep wilderness, God revealed to Moses the wondrous plan He had for him.

Moses could not have envisioned this in his wilderness, and most likely, you can't in yours. But He will....

if you're willing to turn aside for whatever burning bush He uses to get your attention.

The late pastor Jamie Buckingham wrote, "To all those wandering in the wilderness let it be said: bushes still catch on fire and God still calls men by their names." When Moses turned aside, God called him by his name. He knew him, knew where he was, what he'd done, and more, what He would now call him to. He has the same for you, for us, in whatever wilderness time we may be in, or will surely come to.

We fear the wilderness but God means for us to embrace it. Jesus came into the full realization of His calling and purpose, as well as to who He was while in the wilderness. God will use the wilderness to prune us while at the same time purifying and growing us. He will use the wilderness to reveal to us who He is and who we are as well. In the wilderness He'll teach us to hear and obey His voice. In the wilderness we will learn things about Him that could never be known in the lush oasis places of this world. In the wilderness, He heals and makes us whole. It all begins when we choose to turn aside to see the "burning bush" He will surely show us.

If you're in the wilderness today, take heart. He is nearer to you there than you could ever imagine. Listen for His voice. Look at whatever form He chooses to be your own "burning bush." Moses encountered Him on the backside of the desert, but the Father didn't leave him there. Neither will He leave you. He will bring you to the fulfillment of His purpose for you. Your part is to hear, to believe, to obey, and to follow. Look for your burning bush.

Blessings,
Pastor O