The Eagle Magazine
In January of 2020, Helen and I had the great
privilege of taking a tour of the Holy Land. At one point we visited Masada. Standing atop of the plateau we looked down on the valley below. From that perspective it was hard to see any vegetation; absolutely no trees, no grass, not a stream or river to be found as far as the eye could see. What precious little plant life you could see was a dry brown in color. It reminded me a little of the road we once traveled in the desert of Nevada. In scripture, when we read of the wilderness it’s not speaking of an untouched area of thick vegetation and teeming with wildlife, no the wilderness was a place of little to no water, a barren dry desolate land.
Have you ever been there? Maybe you’ve traveled to the great western United States, or even the Middle East, where you could see first hand the empty moonscape-like land that makes up a wilderness, but maybe not. You still might know what the wilderness is like, the spiritual wilderness. I’ve only see the earthly wilderness a few times, but I have been many times in the wilderness spiritually. I’m pretty sure you have too.
When I stood atop Masada and looked out over the land all around me I thought, I know this place, I’ve been here in my soul many times. It was a revelation to me, it was as if I could see inside my soul during my broken, burdened times. The amazing thing about it is that I’ve often found myself in a wilderness place even as I thought I was drawing closer to the Lord, following his tender leading and striving with all that was within me to do his will.
Consider for a moment this passage from Luke 4:1 “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” Two things reach out and grab me from this verse; first, Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost. I do believe that my Saviour was at all times filled with the Spirit, he was and is the God Man, so he lived in perfection every moment of every hour of the day. Therefore I must conclude that the filing of the Holy Ghost is mentioned for my benefit. And of course I’m sure you took note that the Spirit led him into the wilderness. The same event recorded in Matthew 4:1 tells us Jesus was “…to be tempted of the devil.” So it’s not impossible for the Lord to allow us to be tested, tried and burdened.
These two things I noticed first, but I missed the most important lesson of all. If the Lord led me in, he will also lead me out. Matthew tells us how this wilderness experience started, but he also tells us how it ends, Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” The moment I read that verse I remember another one from the Old Testament. 1 Kings 19:5 “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.” Elijah was certainly in a wilderness place spiritually, he even ask that he might die. Well now, I’ve been low, but as of yet I have not been that low. So I see that just as the angel ministered to Elijah, angels also ministered to Jesus, and this also is revealed for my benefit.
Wherever Christ leads me, I can follow without fear and knowing that in the end it will be for my good.
When Joseph Gilmore set out to write a hymn based on Psalm 23 he said he couldn’t get further than the words “he leadeth me”. It was to him such a blessed thought that it’s truth overwhelmed him. Even when it is a pathway we would never choose for ourselves, we know if God is leading it is surely for the best.
Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.
When you find yourself in the wilderness, just remember that God’s leadership is perfect. If he leads us, in he will surely lead us out.
"He Leadeth Me"
THE WILDERNESS AROUND MASADA
