I believe everyone goes through a time of feeling like they are ‘in the wilderness.’ I know I’ve been there. When we went through the hard financial period of literally not having food to eat, I honestly felt like we lived in a desert.
There was nothing left but dirt and sand.
I know a lot of people are going through that very same thing right now. I hear stories about this all the time. I know many of you are dealing with job loss and having less money than ever before and I know it probably feels like you’re in the wilderness.
Here’s the good news: On the other side of the wilderness is the Promised Land!
You can chose to spend 40 years in the wilderness or 40 seconds-it’s up to you.
You can think about it, you can worry about it and you can tell everyone you know all about it or, you can believe God that you will make it through and that you have gone around the mountain for the last time!
I have been a believer my whole life and quite frankly, I’ve seen too much to ever walk away. So, what did we do when the wilderness came upon us?
The only thing I know to do is to speak the Word. And that is what we did. We kept tithing and we kept speaking.
Let me also say, ’speaking the Word’ is not just for the Charismatics! It’s for all of us-the Bible was given to all of us without discrimination-God is all about equal opportunity!
In fact, it was my Southern Baptist Sunday School teacher that taught me how to ’speak the Word!’
So, let’s move on from thinking only ‘those people’ do that or the thought that it’s just plain weird. God created the whole universe with His Word-and He gave it to you to use too!
Confess the Word over your life and let God do a creative new work in you! When you get up in the morning and as you go throughout the day, say these things out loud:
“The Lord has blessed my barns and everything I put my hand to!” Deut. 28:8
“I lend to many nations and I borrow from none!” Deut 28:12
“I hear Your voice, the voice of a stranger I will not follow.” John 10:5
“God has a hope, a plan and a future for me!” Jeremiah 29:11
“My God supplies all my needs!” Philippians 4:19
“No harm shall come near me!” Psalm 91:10
“I do not have the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind!” 2 Timothy 1:7
“I have overcame! I have victory in every situation!” 1 John 5:4
Every single day I would read Proverbs 31 and know that I have creative ability from the Lord and God has not only provided enough for me but for my household as well.
Release God’s creative force in your life today! Even in the wilderness, God was working! The Israelites had food, water, clothing, shelter-supernatural things were happening all the time.
God is working no matter what your circumstances look like! Take a stand and decide today that you are moving out of the wilderness and into the land promised to you!
Don’t waste another day worried and afraid-open your mouth and stand on God’s Word! He is bigger than your circumstances!
You are a believer and even during time of famine, “you will have plenty to eat!” (Joel 2:26)
We serve a big and FAITHFUL God! You do Him proud, Sara Roe! So glad you are sharing what you know to be true!
Thank you so much for sharing this perspective. The thing that jumped out at me the most was “You can chose to spend 40 years in the wilderness or 40 seconds-it’s up to you.” We’ve spent 13 years wandering the desert, and I am ready to move on to the Promised Land! I so appreciate your ministry.
After losing my job in July- I have been “wandering”. Normally a very accomplished person, my motivation is at an all time low. This was just what I needed today to remind me that – it WILL be OK!!!
It’s almost as if the words of encouragement were meant just for me!
thank you for the devo…it was very encouraging and just what i needed to hear. it has seemed lately, that the harder we try to leave the “wilderness” the more things come up that cause us to slide back down the mountain and I am tired of it. I am going to write these verses out and hang them where i can see them daily…thanks again
You are so welcome! I know exactly what you mean-say the verses out loud-Jesus will take you over the mountain!
Have been in the wilderness for awhile now, but know God has a plan and know his timing is not my own. Thanks so much for your devotionals – it was really encouraging for me.