In one of the less famous Old Testament narratives, three kings learn some important lessons about God in the desert. We need to learn the same truths. We read the account in 2 Kings 3.
The Desert Experience
The king of Moab decided to stop paying his taxes to the King of Israel. Jehoram, king of Israel, enlisted the help of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom, another close ally. The three kings embarked on a “collections” mission against King Mesha of Moab.
The Bible says that they took a “circuitous march” for seven days. (A polite way of saying they got lost in the desert.) They found themselves in a place where there was no water for them or their animals.
Jehoram saw this as God’s plan to give them over to the hand of King Mesha. He was quite worried. Jehoshaphat, who was faithful to Yahweh, sought out the nearest prophet of Yahweh, who happened to be Elisha.
Elisha assured them that Yahweh had a plan. Yahweh would act in a miraculous way to fill the dry valley with water. They would not see it coming, it would happen suddenly. Elisha added that this would be “a light thing” for Yahweh – easy…a piece of cake…no problem.
The kings and their entourage went to sleep in a dry valley. They woke up in a dry valley. No clouds, no rain, no overflowing river.
BUT… at the time of the morning sacrifice, water miraculously began to flow. The whole valley was full of water. Yahweh acted suddenly and decisively to supply what they needed. And as He promised, He gave the kings victory over Mesha as well.
The Desert Lesson
So what does this have to do with me? And you?
We all find ourselves in some kind of desert from time to time. It may be a spiritual desert where we miss close communion with God. Or perhaps it is an emotional desert in which we lack motivation feel helpless. Sometimes our desert may be a life-situation desert. Our finances, health, or relationships may wear us down to the point of exhaustion. I am sure you can think of other deserts you have visited in your lifetime.
And it seems no matter how hard you try, you cannot find water in your desert. You try to “do your best,” but the harder you try the dryer your desert gets. But I have some hopeful news for you.
God sees. He knows. He is in control. You can trust Him.
God is not obligated to fulfill YOUR plan, but He absolutely will bring His plan to pass. And His plan is good. Take courage from God’s Word.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:31-32
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Philippians 2:13
Practical Application
Here are three things we can do in our desert as we wait for God to act.
- Stay in God’s Word. Jehoshaphat had the good sense to inquire of a prophet of Yahweh. We exercise spiritual wisdom and insight when we turn to God Word daily.
- Be faithful in your current situation. Waiting seasons are not lacking in distractions. Daydreaming, diversion, and disconnecting may seem like pleasurable coping mechanisms. But God has us where He wants us in this particular season. Be faithful in the daily tasks. Like the faithful stewards go Matthew 25, be faithful with what is in front of you.
- Commit your desert to the Lord. Pray about your desert.Ask God to intervene and to act in ways that bring HIM glory. If your delight is God, your desire will be His desire and He will give it to you. (Psalm 37:4)
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