When Words Don’t Come…

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

How do you describe the indescribable? When you have ridden the highs and lows of life and you’re headed for yet another turn or fork in the road, what words come to mind? Or… are you left speechless? At the first obstacle we pontificate with great words of confidence and faith; but when you have no stamina left to push forward… what meaningful words roll from your tongue then..?

There are many such ‘wilderness’ experiences in God’s Word, ‘barren’ and empty places God led His children to. People like Job, Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel, Joseph, Moses, Paul, and Jesus. There is also the whole nation of Israel who God led into the wilderness of Sinai and not straight northeast to the Land He has promised them long ago. What was God’s purpose in all of these circumstances? The answer is found in God’s Word to Moses for His children, “‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”(Exodus 19:4) God had forged a nation out of the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob while in the caldron of Egypt. And now He was leading them out to the place He sent Moses from, to come and meet with Him… to reveal to them His lovingkindness and glory. God says to this people whom He birthed, “Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation” (19:5-6a). But why the wilderness experience? Why not just said a text or tweet? Because even though God’s presence causes mountains to tremble and rocks to cry out ‘Holy, Holy, Holy!’, He speaks in a ‘still small voice’; a voice only heard when all distractions are removed,  especially the greatest distraction of our own self reliance. It was here in this barren wilderness that God provides the nation an abundance of water from a rock and bread from Heaven to eat. There was nothing they needed God Himself was not the provision for. What stands in the way of God doing a wondrous work in our lives, is our own works of self-provision… even if those works are geared to Him.

I do not know what desert place you have come to, nor if you are still pontificating with great words of self confidence; but I do know who has led you there. He did this so He could meet with you in that place. God wants you to be declared His child, one who is a ‘joint heir with The Firstborn, God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He wants to pour wondrous blessings into your life, but these are only possible by living in accordance with His commands. These commands are not hard, but they are required. God is Holy, therefore to come into His presence you must be Holy too. By His lovingkindness, God has made a way for you to do this through His Son, Jesus. For He is the way, the truth, and the life… no one comes to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6) When you find yourself in that wilderness place and no words will come, just say Jesus. I pray you drop all pretense and answer, “thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” There is hope and His name is Jesus… I pray as the light of His Word shine in your desert place, and you find rest in Him.

Choose wisely…

 

“You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”

No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.

You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.”

(Hebrews 12:18-22, 24)

 

Praying 4 U

 

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.

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Think About This: “God is able to accomplish, provide, help, save, keep, subdue… He is able to do what you can’t. He already has a plan. God’s not bewildered. Go to Him.” – Max Lucado

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 33-36| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. -1 Peter 2:9-10

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.