Each time I read about the Israelites 40 year journey through the wilderness, I have two thoughts.  First, I am amazed that they wore the same clothes and sandals for 40 years with no signs of “wear and tear” on them!  Secondly, I am thankful that I did not wander around in that wilderness alongside them.  But I am thankful for the many lessons that we can learn from their Journey.  

While I may not have been alongside them in their wilderness journey, I realize that there have been other types of wilderness journeys in my own life.  There are the years when I didn’t yet know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I spent time wandering around life learning about HIM, but not yet knowing HIM.  Later came the years when I was not as focused on his guidance in my life and I simply chose my own way.  Even after I fully returned to a life that focused on reading his word, being involved in a church family, and praying for HIS guidance; there were still many decisions that I made without truly waiting on HIS answer to prayer.  

How many times do we go to God in prayer knowing that we have already made our choice?  Then we turn every sign we receive from HIM  around to point to the choice we made?  HMMM.  Those are the wilderness journeys we choose for ourselves.  But there are also those wilderness journeys that we do not choose.  The sudden loss of a loved one to a horrible accident.  The long battle with a terminal illness that we see a loved one go through.  Possibly a long health battle of our own. Whatever the wilderness journey, knowing that God was there to guide me, hold me up, and lead me through, always comforted me. I know that the end of my journey on Earth will one day be full of rejoicing in Heaven.  

I could not have endured the various wilderness journeys in my life if I had not known Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  He sent HIS help in so many ways:  His Spirit to comfort me; fellow believers to provide support; guidance through reading His word; and an unending ear that listens.  If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you too know all of this.  But if you have not yet come to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then I hope and pray you soon do.  If you feel HIM calling out to you, a simple prayer is here for you.  

Father, I admit that I am a sinner in need of your salvation. I know that you sent your son, Jesus, to die on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins.  I believe that Jesus arose from that grave and is alive and waiting for me.  I ask you now to become my Lord and Savior and to guide me through my life. You are my Lord and I love you!  Amen

If you said this prayer and are now a Child of God, find a local church family to help you connect with other believers.  If you want guidance as you pray, reach out to me at renez.milner@gmail.com, or find a church leader or a local Christian Radio Station with a prayer line.  Find a friend that you know is a Christian.  And mostly – rejoice that you are now a Child of God!!

Yet the LORD says, “During the forty years I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.”      Deuteronomy 29:5

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16