Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5-7
Have you ever been surprised by grief, loss, or suffering? I know I have. I have great expectations that life is supposed to be smooth, comfortable, and problem-free. Even the least snag can throw me into a tailspin. Not to mention a life-changing event.
Perhaps my perspective is skewed and my expectations are unrealistic. Life is a journey, but it is never smooth-sailing all the time. Walking through the journey of life is often more of a wilderness experience than an oasis. Yet I expect life to be a huge oasis surrounded by desert. As long as I stay in the oasis, I’m safe from the pain and desolation of the wastelands. Or so I think.
The inspired writer of Psalm 84 had it right. When we are on our pilgrimage of life, we are blessed (or happy) when we find our strength in God. Even when we walk through the Valley of Baka or Weeping, we can still enjoy oasis there. In our wasteland experience, we can have times of refreshment as we draw closer to God. Perhaps the wilderness has a purpose. In the suffering, when we draw near to God, we discover that He draws near to us. And more importantly, we realize that God wants more than anything else to have a close, intimate relationship with us. Oasis living has a way of masking our need for God. More often than not, desert treks are where we discover Him. And where we find the strength to go on our journey from oasis to oasis until we come to see God in heaven.
Instead of thinking about life as oasis living with a few wilderness times thrown in, I flip that thought around to be all about a wilderness journey that is dotted with respite oases. In level-setting my expectations, I will be less surprised and will uncover the strength I need to journey forward. From strength to strength until I see God face to face.
Thank You, Jesus, that You walk with me in both the oasis and wilderness times. May I not forget You in the oasis and may I hold tightly to Your hand as I walk the wilderness. May I have great expectations, not of problem-free living, but of Your very presence with me on my wilderness journey. May it be so, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Copyright © 2015 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Have you ever been surprised by grief, loss, or suffering? I know I have. I have great expectations that life is supposed to be smooth, comfortable, and problem-free. Even the least snag can throw me into a tailspin. Not to mention a life-changing event.
Perhaps my perspective is skewed and my expectations are unrealistic. Life is a journey, but it is never smooth-sailing all the time. Walking through the journey of life is often more of a wilderness experience than an oasis. Yet I expect life to be a huge oasis surrounded by desert. As long as I stay in the oasis, I’m safe from the pain and desolation of the wastelands. Or so I think.
The inspired writer of Psalm 84 had it right. When we are on our pilgrimage of life, we are blessed (or happy) when we find our strength in God. Even when we walk through the Valley of Baka or Weeping, we can still enjoy oasis there. In our wasteland experience, we can have times of refreshment as we draw closer to God. Perhaps the wilderness has a purpose. In the suffering, when we draw near to God, we discover that He draws near to us. And more importantly, we realize that God wants more than anything else to have a close, intimate relationship with us. Oasis living has a way of masking our need for God. More often than not, desert treks are where we discover Him. And where we find the strength to go on our journey from oasis to oasis until we come to see God in heaven.
Instead of thinking about life as oasis living with a few wilderness times thrown in, I flip that thought around to be all about a wilderness journey that is dotted with respite oases. In level-setting my expectations, I will be less surprised and will uncover the strength I need to journey forward. From strength to strength until I see God face to face.
Thank You, Jesus, that You walk with me in both the oasis and wilderness times. May I not forget You in the oasis and may I hold tightly to Your hand as I walk the wilderness. May I have great expectations, not of problem-free living, but of Your very presence with me on my wilderness journey. May it be so, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Copyright © 2015 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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