The Wilderness Made Habitable

Written by Kevin Mills

"And he was in the wilderness until his public appearance…" (Luke 1:80) Talk about a scripture completely saturated with hope! Why? Let's look at the definition of wilderness first. A "wilderness" by definition is an uncultivated and seemingly uninhabitable area - a wasteland. With this definition clear in our minds the question is posed: Have you ever felt this same way in your own life? Have you ever felt that your life (i.e. health, mind, body, soul) was situated in an uninhabitable wasteland? If you have - you're not alone. I was sharing a few Sundays ago with our congregation about the numerous "wilderness" experiences that great men and women often went through in biblical times and the subsequent victories that can ensue. A few examples: Abraham waited twenty-five years "in the wilderness" before seeing the fulfillment of God's promise to make of him a "great nation" (i.e. The nation of Israel). Moses wandered in the wilderness over forty-years before being called back to lead the "great exodus" of Israel. John the Baptist (New Testament - Luke 1:80) lived (and waited) in the wilderness for over twenty-five years before beginning his great ministry of "preparing the way" for Jesus.

In our "instant gratification" society we usually expect answers and results to be instantaneous - especially when pertaining to our life's situations. But this is usually not the case. Instead we find ourselves waiting on God's time-table all the time wondering if he has abandoned us in our "uninhabitable place" (or "wilderness"). Fortunately, as we go through history (both biblical & secular) we see that many great men and women suffered through great times of anxiousness and anxiety before seeing the fulfillment of their hearts desires and dreams. Consequently, we must press through and hold-fast to God's unchanging character of faithfulness and fully believe that the honorable desires and dreams of our heart were placed there caringly by Him and He will help them be brought to fruition! Furthermore in the Bible God constantly reminds us of His consistent ability to "sympathize" with our weaknesses, struggles, and doubts - consequently we should except this God-given understanding while sincerely pressing forward into His promises. Jewish scholars used to state (and still do) that, "The Fatherhood of God is synonymous with His love for human family. Every creature is living proof that the Father of all is a God of love." (Everyman's Talmud, Abraham Cohen) God will lovingly sympathize with our weaknesses when we sincerely desire to trust Him through "wilderness" times. But we must be sincere and hold fully to His unchangeable attribute of complete and utter faithfulness towards His children. My friend, your wilderness experience and the subsequent outcome is in your hands. I have full confidence that you will continue to hold-fast to your faith in God and subsequently be delivered into your heart's greatest desires and dreams. God truly is faithful through the "uninhabitable" places - continue to hold to Him!