Wilderness

The Lord always makes the world - to be a wilderness to His people. They cannot feel at home in it - nor will it yield them suitable or sufficient supplies. In the wilderness - they learn His ways. They learn . . .

  to trust in Him,

  to look to Him, and

  to expect everything from Him.

In the wilderness - He becomes everything to them!

In the wilderness - He prepares them for 'Canaan'. He . . .

   weans them from the world,

   empties them of self, and

   shows them the insufficiency of all creatures!

All who follow the Lord as their leader - arrive safely in their Heavenly home. He does not lead them by the shortest way, nor by the easiest way - but He leads them in the right way, which is the best way. 

Following Him, they . . .

   escape dangers,

   find supplies,

   master difficulties,

   overcome their foes, and

   arrive with certainty at their journey's end!

Reader, what is the world to you? Is it a home - or a wilderness?

What are you in the world? Are you a resident - or a stranger and a pilgrim?

Is God leading you through it — or are you making your home in it?

If God is leading you through the wilderness - then do not be surprised if you meet with changes, trials, difficulties, and troubles; they are wilderness fare.

If you can make your home in the wilderness - then do not be surprised if you are excluded from the 'Promised Land'. For only those whom God leads through the wilderness - ever arrive safely there!

extract from ' God Leading His People Through the Wilderness' 
by James Smith (1802-1862)