God will not abandon us in wilderness times

Throughout the Bible, the wilderness is a place of testing and revelation. God is up to something in that time of wilderness. In the Gospel of Mark, right after Jesus is called God’s beloved Son, Jesus goes into the wilderness. But he doesn’t go alone. God’s presence is continuous and even the angels cared for Jesus. (Mark 1:12-13)

It reminds me of my own wilderness times. There have been times of loss, grieving, health struggles, and recoveries. And in those, I have often been under the illusion that I didn’t need help and I could take care of things myself. Ultimately, that wouldn’t be true, and the support and care of others was truly what carried me through those times of wilderness. God’s presence right there with me in the hands and feet of people who love me.

Today, I want to tell you unapologetically, and without doubt that in whatever wilderness you are facing, God is present in it all. That’s God’s promise to you.

You are not alone. 

Sometimes we feel like we must stubbornly endure. That we need to work harder to be worthier of God’s presence. 

Others may talk about DOING enough – giving up enough, going to church enough, being religious enough, suggesting that maybe all of this is a test of our faithfulness. If we pass the test, we will get out of the wilderness. 

This just isn’t true. The world is filled with joy and love and wilderness, sin, and hardship, all at once, isn’t it? 

Jesus came into darkness and violence of this world to be with us in our brokenness and to redeem it. Whatever wilderness we find ourselves in and whatever challenges us, God is present. God is at work both for us and through us during our wilderness times. God is present through the help and support we receive from others. A good reminder to ask for help and accept that love and support! 

It would be nice to receive a promise of bubble wrap to protect us from hurts.

But the promise of God’s presence is more durable than bubble wrap. 

God will not abandon us during our trips through the wilderness. God is, after all, in the business of taking what seems to be death and bringing resurrection life from it. 

God IS present. That is a promise. God loves you, no matter what.