Wilderness Blessings

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 23:14, And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.

What a contrast from David’s early years as a shepherd boy. His days in the fields, caring for his father’s sheep, God used to sharpen David’s skills as a musician and poet. He taught him humility and how to be faithful in carrying out the lowliest of duties. As a young man, David became a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). God allowed David to face certain challenges while in the fields, such as wrestling a bear and a lion, which prepared David for his battle against Goliath, putting him on the path to notoriety amongst the people of Israel (1 Samuel 17:36, 41-52). David, the man after God’s own heart, later found himself running for his life, living and hiding out in the Wilderness of Ziph. This was a place that was not an easy place to live in. It was a stark contrast from the fields David spent many years in, tending to his father’s sheep. What David went through flies in the face of all the “name it claim it” preaching we hear today. It contradicts the whole, “God only wants success and prosperity for you, so claim it and go get it.” However, David’s time in the wilderness was actually a time of wonderful blessings; not the world’s idea of blessings. David received the kind of blessings that we need to appreciate today. God was the One who led David and his men to this wilderness. Nonetheless, note the great blessing that we read in this verse, “God did not deliver him into his hand.” I am not sure how many of you reading this have ever experienced this, but I can personally testify that some of the greatest times of fellowship with the Lord have taken place in the midst of some of the greatest trials that He has allowed in my life. We do not often think of wilderness moments as times of blessings, but those are the times when God teaches us the greatest lessons and prepares us for the greatest service. In this case, He was preparing David to serve Him as king of Israel. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 reminds us, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” It is in the wilderness that we learn to lean on God’s strength and not our own. The Apostle Paul knew this personally. He said this in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Rather than complain and get upset when God allows trying times, we need to remember James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” If we want to experience true peace and joy in the midst of hard times, we need to change our mindset about what God’s blessings look like. We must look to, and apply in Christ, verses such as Philippians 4:4-6, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The bottom line is that God’s blessings come in all forms, and quite often the greatest blessings are the “wilderness blessings” because those are the ones that draw us closest to our Lord.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).