The Wilderness

My trip in the wilderness was…….well

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

There’s something about being surrounded by grandeur, and walking among the majesty….the tangible displays of the invisible attributes of God (Romans 1:20). There’s something about hearing the rolling thunder in the mountains, getting caught in a hailstorm, and being with others who are full of wonder.

It did something in my soul. I don’t quite know the word for it, but I felt small and safe and significant.

Small because of the scale of the splendor. Safe because the One who made it is good and sovereign. Significant because He is with us.

When the Israelites left Egypt and went through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land, God didn’t give them a map. He gave them His Presence.

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people. Exodus 13:21-22 ESV

I can’t get that out of my head. God wanted His people to know He was with them. He wanted His people to look to Him for guidance and comfort.

He still does. Jesus told the disciples he would not leave them.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…….You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  John 14:16-18

May we let that truth seep into our souls and fill every broken place in it.

Photo credits: Ronda, Bruce, Daryl, Ashli, Herb, Mark, Kathy, Mariyana, Scott, Doug, Stephanie, Becca, and Cody. Thank you.

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4 Comments

  1. Bruce W. Martin on August 1, 2020 at 9:43 am

    Small, safe, significant. I love that.

    • marieg on August 1, 2020 at 1:19 pm

      I saw God’s goodness again and again in our time in the wilderness. It’s easier to see there. But it’s here too. We just have to look more intentionally for it. I’m as small, safe, and significant here as I am there.

  2. Mabel Rudo Nyazika on August 3, 2020 at 1:31 am

    Thank you Marie for pointing out that God did not give the Israelites a map because he wanted them to be led by him. That is powerful, speaking for myself wanting to have all the details of everything has deprived me of trusting God.

    • marieg on August 3, 2020 at 5:45 am

      It is powerful! God wants us near to Him and to trust Him. He is a tender and good Father, and worthy of our trust.

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