Growing in the Wilderness

And the child [John] grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel…the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. Luke 1:80; 3:2

            John [the Baptizer] grew and became strong in spirit until…

            Sometimes the wilderness is not just where we wait for God, it is where God is preparing us for the work that will come. The wilderness may seem dry and lonely, but it can also be a place of quiet and peace, stillness and spiritual reliance. A place where we can grow in dependence on and confidence in God’s sustaining Provision and enduring Presence.

            John’s work would be hard, lonely, and controversial. He was called to be a prophet for the Most High who would go before the Lord to prepare His ways. (See Luke 1:76) He would live an austere life in the desert, be criticized by the leaders of his faith, and in the end executed. His time of preparation in the wilderness was essential if he was going to faithfully complete the work which God had planned and purposed for him.  

            We can grow impatient in the wilderness and be tempted to go off on our own power and direction, or, we can grow tranquil and strong in the wilderness, waiting for God’s Word to come to us.

Let’s Do Something About It

·      If you are in a period of stillness or waiting in your life, ask God to show you how you can appreciate this time and use it to grow attentive and strong in His Presence.

·      If you are in a season of activeness, or if your life seems out of control with busyness, ask the Lord to show you how to wait upon His Word even now in your busy time.