4 Ways God Provides in Our Wilderness
Wilderness experiences are no respector of persons. And this includes God’s people as long as we live on the earth. But God provides in every way, in every wilderness we travel through.
Perhaps great loss transported us smack dab in the middle of a wilderness. Maybe a job and income loss. A loved one passed away or a natural disaster took everything from us. Or the loss of a lifelong dream.
Further, we catapult into a desolate wasteland during prolonged illness of ourselves or a family member, depression, traumatic circumstances, difficult relationships, and more.
So let’s look at these four specific ways God provides in our wilderness.
(1.) God Provides: Guides Our Steps
We often stumble and wander with no certain direction of how to navigate our wilderness. So, we need help from on High—from our compassionate God.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Like God provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 13), His Word will always guide our feet and path. We pray for wisdom and direction and we seek God’s face and the Scriptures.
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)
(2.) Makes a Way.
Our heavenly Father makes a way, carving out a path before us, even when there seems to be no way. God can do anything such as moving an obstacle or mountain blocking our way to our own promised land.
Jesus taught how faith moves mountains. (See Matthew 17:20; Mark 11:23)
Just like the Lord parted the Red Sea for His people fleeing from the Egyptian army, He parts seas in our situation to make a way to the other side.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
“A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” Isaiah 40:3-4 (ESV)
(3.) God Provides: Nourishes Our Soul.
The Lord rains down spiritual manna from heaven when we need it most. God cares for our hungry and thirsty soul in a dry and parched land.
“You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them.” Nehemiah 9:15 (ESV)
(4.) Turns Ashes to Beauty.
What seems like a situation where we are only left holding ashes, God works out for our good in some way, making beauty from ashes. Because wilderness experiences grow us up in God. In the end, we are more like Christ.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Look at this comforting passage:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me…to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1 & 3 (ESV, emphasis added)
The next time you find yourself in the wilderness or you’re currently in one now, remember God guides your steps, makes a way, nourishes your soul, and turns ashes into beauty.
Last week’s post, Key Prayers: Calling on God’s People to Pray.
Featured images from our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Recharge Wednesday/Let’s Have Coffee/Tune in Thursday/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth).
© 2023 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Thank you for all of these reminders of the goodness of God and His tender care of each of His people. He nourishes our souls with these words of encouragement, and He turns the ashes of defeat and loss into beauty in our lives. We often don’t know how He will do these things, but gradually He works it all out, and we are blessed. Trust in the Lord.
Yes, Melinda. The Lord rains down spiritual manna from heaven when we need it most. God cares for our hungry and thirsty soul in a dry and parched land.
God will always make a way for us, especially when we are wandering and feel lost. I’m trusting in Him to help me make it through any wilderness I might face.
Blessings, Karen!
You know what, Martha? God making a way when there seems to be no way is probably one of my favorite and comforting things about God’s provision in the wilderness. God bless.
Great encouragement here, Karen. God shows Himself through the tiny and enormous moments of provision through our lives. Thanks and God bless!
Nancy, I like how you said, “God shows Himself through the tiny and enormous moments of provision through our lives.” Yes, indeed. Thank you!
Amen. I find comfort in knowing God is guiding my steps and is always with me.
Me too, Melissa, every step of the way wherever we walk.
God is the only reason I made it out of the wildernesses of my life. He truly is my Savior in so many ways. Thanks Karen for these great message of hope.
Yvonne, He is the God on the mountain and the God in the wilderness.
You are such an encourager, Karen. Thank you for this helpful post and for all you do!! God bless you.
So kind of you to say, Jessica. Appreciate your comment. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
Karen, I love all these ways that God provides for us in our wilderness. Brimfs comfort. Thank you!
It is so comforting, isn’t it? None of us want the wilderness expereince, but we know God provides in every way. Thanks for commenting.
There’s been times in my life when, in the wilderness, I’ve felt totally lost and alone. In dense jungles where you could barely see the sunlight. In dry deserts where every horizon looks the same. In a small one-bedroom apartment following a devastating divorce. In the hospital room as a loved one leaves this earth. In all of them, it was Jesus who came and sat with me, who gave me an inner peace that allowed me to take a deep breath, assess the situation, who helped me formulate a plan, and who gave me the courage to take the first step along that plan. Amen dear sister, a much-needed word this morning. God’s blessings.
Your words are soul-stirring, J.D. This kind of loss and heartache is no respecter of persons on this earth. Yet, it is the Lord that stays near and makes a way, when there seems to be no way. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
God certainly turned “ashes into beauty” in my life! I don’t even want to think about where I’d be today if I did not know God – probably still wandering in the dark.
Me too, Lisa. Thankful for the Lord’s rescue from spiritual darkness and how He walks with us through every wilderness from beginning to end.
[…] Last week’s post, 4 Ways God Provides in Our Wilderness. […]
It is amazing all we experience in any wilderness we must traverse. Then when we look back all we see is the sweet way our God carried us through.
Yes, even spiritual hindsight is 20/20 when we stop and take the time to look back at what God has done.