Week 8
Jeremiah 31:2 “The people…who found grace in the wilderness”
God’s people sometimes walk through the “wildernesses” of life. We tread through the wilderness of sanctifying sorrow, purifying trouble, and character-building challenges. These wildernesses make us feel small, insignificant, and weak. But they are necessary for many important and cogent reasons.
And yet, all of God’s saintly folks testify that when they passed through these difficult times, they always found “grace in the wilderness.” What kind of grace do God’s covenant people find in the wilderness through which they traverse?
Christians find sustaining grace in the wilderness. God’s grace given to us in the wilderness of life sustains us in our weakness and frailty.
Christians find all-sufficient grace in the wilderness. God’s grace given to us in the wilderness is all-sufficient for every need. When I step onto thin ice, I find God’s grace is strong enough to hold me up. I cannot fall while supported by God’s great grace, except to fall into His strong and loving arms.
Christians find satisfying grace in the wilderness. I find my soul satisfied with God and His provision when I tread the dusty paths of my wilderness. I seek nothing else; I am amply supplied. My Lord, His love, and grace are enough for me. I seek no other aid or help; I am content with my Lord.
Christians find surprising grace in the wilderness. There are many times when God’s grace shows up in surprising ways in the wildernesses of life. I am taught by this to expect my Lord to grant unexpected blessings to uphold me and lead me along. I must learn to anticipate this without presuming on this.
Christians find saving grace in the wilderness. The Lord who brought me to salvation will keep me saved by His saving grace. Saving grace is my companion all through my life, and I know that saving grace will carry me through the dark cloud of death to the sunlight of my heavenly home. And my eternal testimony will be that God’s grace accompanied me, supported me, and cheered me all through earth’s wildernesses.
If the wildernesses of life become the context in which the saved find more and more of God’s grace in their experience, then all Christians extol the wilderness that brings such joy and assurance to us. We bless the Lord for these wildernesses, for they have brought God to us that we might be brought to God.
Prayer: Dear Lord, it is hard to thank You for the wilderness through which I trod this day. But still, I know You are with me, and You are sheltering me with favor and providential care. Please provide for this day’s needs, and grant to me the joy of having fellowship with You. And please work in my life this day, so that when the final day comes, I will look back without regret. Amen.