Wilderness Provisions

Five Minute Family

Good morning, Five Minute Families. Do you feel that your family is in a season of wandering in the wilderness? Maybe you are just coming out of one but can’t really explain it to yourself or your loved ones. Whichever is the case, please join us as we discuss “comfort in the wilderness” today.

The sermon at our church this past Sunday was about the comfort of God using Isaiah 40 as its Scriptural foundation. As our pastor listed out his four points about Christ bringing comfort to his people, but the part that struck me most was when our pastor stated about God and the Israelites who had been enslaved in Egypt, … the pastor said, “He calls them out… calls them into the wilderness and into the wilderness they go.” He goes on to demonstrate how God used the wilderness for His people as a sanctuary from Egypt and as a time that was ordained by God. Throughout the Israelites’ time in the wilderness God always provided. Our pastor listed five things in quick succession, but we would like to take a bit longer on each one of them for you, our five-minute families, who may be experiencing your own wilderness. Remember, EVEN IN THE WILDERNESS, God provides.

For forty years, despite their disobedience, the Israelites were fed, led, watered, taught, and given a steward. Manna and quail, pillars of fire and cloud, water from a rock (twice), the ten commandments, and Moses as their leader. Some of us play Monday morning quarterback with family decisions we should have made, and just like the Israelites who were too scared to face the giants and thus had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, we often see that we made a wrong turn, even when prompted by God to do otherwise. So, whether of your own making or of circumstances surrounding you, Five Minute families, here is a reminder of what is God giving you in your time in the wilderness.

1. He will get you fed. You may keep struggling to make ends meet. Swallow your pride and call the church and ask for help. Call the school and ask about different programs available, and KEEP WORKING HARD EVERY DAY. Just like the manna… the Israelites had to go out each day - except on the Sabbath - to gather their food. You may have to work every day to put food on the table but remember, that job is there because God is providing. Folks are donating to the church, and the government has programs for a reason.

2. He will lead you. God led the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of fire at night and a pillar of cloud during the day. Today, we have his word. I am not talking here about the details of theology and daily living. We are talking about the six clear things God lists in His word as being His will for your and your family’s life. As we have referenced in a Five Minute devo before, John MacArthur summarizes them this way, “If you’re saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, suffering, and thankful – do whatever you want.” That means God is leading you, so be ready to move when He says move!

3. God literally provided the Israelites water in the desert. Thankfully, we live in a place of clean water options. So, let’s think figuratively here… Do you thirst for something more in your family life, even in a time in wilderness? Don’t fill your family time with unhealthy sugary or bitter drinks. Fill your hearts with water, with the pure kindness and joy of time together with one another and your biblical community.

4. Now, back into Scripture… interesting how family life keeps coming back to time in Scripture! just as God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, we must take the time to study, meditate, pray, and learn. Plan time in God’s word or it will not happen.

5. Just as the Israelites were given Moses as their leader, along with a group of other men of leadership, in our time of being in the wilderness we must realize that we are still to listen to our authorities. I once heard a missionary who returned from a communist country talk about how moved he was by the Christian church praying fervently for their leaders. Not that they would be harmed and removed from office but that they would come to know the Lord and that no matter what they would make God-honoring decisions while still in office. Are you praying for your church leaders, town leaders, country leaders - whether you agree with them or not?

Remember that God is always providing for you and your family. Take some time if you are in the wilderness to see His provisions and comforts all around you. Be blessed!