Restoration in the Wilderness

We’ve probably all experienced wilderness seasons. There are the brief valleys and trials, and then there are the dry, desert places of our lives when there is nothing to turn to but God, because you cannot possibly climb out of it on your own. 

 

This could be a season of grief, relationship struggles, illness, spiritual attack, financial loss, or heartache. And if you’re in that kind of season right now, you may be feeling worn out, frustrated, or even a little hopeless. But no matter the depth of our pain, our Savior sees us.

 

I love this excerpt from the book, Gentle and Lowly, that gives a glimpse into the heart of Jesus. 

 

We learn much in the four Gospels about Christ's teaching. We read of his birth, his ministry, and his disciples. We are told of his travel and prayer habits...We learn of the way he understood himself to fulfill the whole Old Testament...

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But in only one place—perhaps the most wonderful words ever uttered by human lips—do we hear Jesus himself open up to us his very heart:

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Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:28–30)

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In the one place in the Bible where the Son of God pulls back the veil and lets us peer way down into the core of who he is, we are not told that he is “austere and demanding in heart.” We are not told that he is “exalted and dignified in heart.” We are not even told that he is “joyful and generous in heart.” Letting Jesus set the terms, his surprising claim is that he is “gentle and lowly in heart.”

 

I think that’s a beautiful thing - Jesus tied together the very center of his heart, his being, with the promise, “Come to me and I will give you rest.”  That’s our first step in navigating the wilderness. 

 

But in these kinds of seasons, it can feel like the enemy’s voice turns into your own - accusations flung like a battering ram - and we may forget what we know is true. When we look at the life of David, we can see that it even happened to him, too - the man after God’s own heart.

 

The last part of 1 Samuel is largely dedicated to exploring David’s wilderness season - and in some cases, it was literal for him. By the time he came to the city of Nob - running for his life - David had been removed from his home, isolated from his wife and family, hungry, tired, and terrified that the most powerful man in the country was hunting him down. In his escape, God orchestrates a beautiful reminder for David and for all of us.

 

1 Samuel 21:6, 8-9

 

So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away.

 

And David said to Ahimelech, “Is there not here on hand a spear or a sword? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.”

 

So the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, there it is, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it. For there is no other except that one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

 

There are two things I learned from this passage.

 

The first is that the showbread was meant only for a priest who had been observing the purification laws. God made an exception for David and his men to eat of this holy bread. It’s a wonderful reminder that “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.” The Lord gave David the exact subsistence he needed, and God was the one to provide it. When we spend time in the Word, being fed by His Spirit, we, too, can be nourished no matter the circumstances we’re facing.

 

The second and incredible moment here is that out of all the cities in Israel, the famed sword that David used to cut off the head of Goliath was here in Nob. This can all look circumstantial - David just happened to flee to this city, and this exact sword just happened to be the ONLY weapon in the whole place - but we know this is nothing short of a divine intervention by the all-powerful Most High God. 

 

Not only did the Lord provide a weapon that David needed, He provided the very weapon David used in what was one of the most triumphant days in his life. God used this moment, one in which David was scared and possibly doubting the Lord’s promises, to remind him of this supernatural victory. God gave David a giant-slayer weapon so he could fight the next major battle he was entering into. 

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For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword… (Hebrews 4:12)

 

When we engage the enemy with the Word of God, when we pick up that sword when we’re tired, weary, and the wilderness appears to have no end, we are given the strength to take hold of the promises the Lord has given us and keep fighting. 

 

What weapon of warfare is God providing you right now? What tools is He giving you to fight the enemy and win?

 

If you read on, you see the Lord show up for David again and again, reminding him that “God’s mercy is new every morning, great is His faithfulness.” David spent years in this wilderness season of his life. David chose to make wise decisions, lean on the Lord’s strength, praise Him in the midst of struggle, and seek His will. 

 

However, towards the end of Saul’s life (albeit not known at the time), David allowed his weariness to lead him to make one bad choice after another. He left Israel and served the king of the Philistines - the enemy of the Lord and David’s - instead of trusting God for his safety and provision. Because when left unchecked, weariness leads to compromise, and that’s exactly what David did. 

 

Be careful of the decisions you make when you’ve been walking in wilderness seasons for a very long time. Rash, emotional decisions can lead to compromise, sin, or even destruction. We’ve probably all experienced the relentless attack of the enemy. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize when you’re exhausted or feel hopeless. But be slow to make decisions, seek wise biblical counsel, and wait on the Lord to speak. 

 

We know that despite compromise and sin, the Lord did honor His covenant with David. However, it didn’t come without consequences, and it doesn’t in our lives either. The enemy is a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour, especially when we’re at our weakest. 

 

And remember who Jesus says He is - gentle and lowly at heart. He sees you and understands. He wants to give you comfort and rest. He wants to restore your joy and be your strength.

No wilderness season is permanent. Jehovah Jireh will provide for you. Stand on the promises of our Lord and Savior, and He will carry you through.