There are hurting people. I have received emails in the last month, and spoken to people who are hurting. I have been with others who could not even give voice to their hurt. They did not have to, the hurt was in their eyes, their voice, their slumped shoulders, and heart.
I have been interceding for people, calling their name out before the Lord. I ask him to hear their prayer in the those long “stretches of sand”, their personal deserts, their place of distress.
I am reminded of the desolate places like the cave (1 Samuel 22) where David hid away or the desert (1 Samuel 25), or the brook where Elijah found himself (1 Kings 17), or the jail (King’s Prison) in which Joseph was (Genesis 39:20).
But let’s take a second look, what did David do while in the cave? He sharpened his weapons and considered his options. He fortified his camp. He built up supporters.
What did Elijah do? He fortified his body. He ate bread in the morning, and in the evening, and drank from the brook. He had holy provision. We too can eat and drink of the Word in our place of distress, it is Holy provision.
What did Joseph do? He took care of the prisoners. He looked away from his own bondage, and served others. He listened to their dreams.
Maybe you feel isolation in your life right now. Is it from friends, family or church, or from sickness? Is there disappointment? Has hope dwindled? Are people questioning your integrity, your very sanity, or your courage? Do you hear whispers, “can that person possibly pick themselves up?” If you recall in one of the post’s in April 27, 2009, under the ‘Pressed Reporter”, I wrote about the feet in the sand. Well, as I have prayed for those hurting, that picture in my mind and the sound of shuffling are so present, and I know God is carrying each one of us through. Through the whispers, through the defeat, through the dishonor, through the sandstorm, and into an oasis of rest and refershment.
But wait, David had a “band of brothers” and he formed a mighty force out of that desolate place.
Elijah was not alone, God told him, (1 Kings 19:18 NIV) – “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel–all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”
It shows us a picture that even while we are in our low place, God is bringing together our supporters, and those who will bless us, those who will go into battle for us.
Daniel formed divine connections in his lowest moments. Look around the desolate place, find the glimmer of light, and follow it, hold fast, and make your way out of your “desert”
It is during these ‘stretches of sand” that our fiber is strengthened and our character is molded. This isolation is a place of preparedness. It is a place to depend solely on God.
As I pray for those I am aware of being in a hurting place, I ask the Lord to please visit you in that place, the place you find yourself. I have the Word “Makom” meaning a name of God meaning “place”. May your hearts rest assured that “He” is in that “place” with you and is bringing you through.
Let’s look back at I kings 19:10-15 God asks Elijah twice: ”What doest thou here?” NIV version reads – What are you doing here, Elijah?” God told him “Go back the way you came…(I kings 19:15). Don’t stay in the cave or desert, don’t stay by the brook, don’t stay in isolation in a jail of your making. The last thing I want to remind you of is found in 1Samuel 22:5 (NIV) – “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart and go to the land of Judah.’” Put your praise on. – Judah means praise. Ps 50:23 (NIV) He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Go back the way you came. Powerful words. Yes, friend, go back the way you came, to that place you first found Jesus, to that place you first found joy. Amen. Andre Crouch’s song says it this way…
Take me back, take me back dear Lord
To the place where I first received you.
Take me back, take me back dear Lord where I
First believed.
I feel that I’m so far from you Lord
But still I hear you calling me
Those simple things that I once knew,
The memories are drawing me.
I must confess, Lord I’ve been blessed
But yet my soul’s not satisfied.
Renew my faith, restore my joy
And dry my weeping eyes.
I tried so hard,
To make it all alone.
I need your help
Just to make it home.
Andrae Crouch “Take Me Back” from TrotOut
As I was ending this post, I heard this song, and it said it all. Be encouraged, dear one.
You Are My Hiding Place/As The Deer from michelle2chat
013. Desert Song – Hillsong 2008 w/z Lyrics and Chords stephb280784
You Never Let Go – song by Matt Redman kalilahka2007
Clinging to the cross from tinx2000
