The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord,“I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown” (JE 2.1-2).
When my wife Kristi was a young bride she followed me into the wilderness because she loved me. In our first year of marriage I quit my secure teaching job and came on staff as a pastor-in-training in a small, fledgling church where neither the pastor nor myself really had any idea of what we were doing. At least I didn’t. Even scarier, within 2 years I became the Sr. Pastor. In those early years our church navigated some dry times when it looked like the church wouldn’t make it. Times when more people were bailing than joining. Times when it seemed like nothing was happening, mostly when I preached. Yet Kristi still followed me.
That’s what it’s like to run after Christ. He gives us such a love for him, we follow him in the wilderness, where we aren’t sure where our provision will come from. Sometimes it’s a wilderness of suffering, or a desert of having no idea what in the world to do with our kids. It may be the solitary wasteland of loneliness or the badlands of being sinned against.
That’s what it is to love Jesus. To follow him in the wilderness and trust him, no matter what the outcome. To keep following him when we’re dry and thirsty, tired and weary. Where it’s bleak and boring. What devotion he implants in our hearts, to go, not knowing where, to walk with him in arid places because he alone can satisfy our thirsty souls.
Are you in the wilderness today? Is it because you followed Jesus? Know this, the Lord Jesus takes great delight in your desert devotion.
photo by HORIZON
Once again, a great, encouraging word! Thank you!
I’m really appreciative of how you write from experience, and you write about ‘real’ things – you don’t dodge issues like suffering, but talk about them openly and, often it seems, from experience, which just gives further authority to what you say.
It is definitely more encouraging than say, someone who hasn’t gone through difficulties, who then tries to talk about the help and faithfulness and goodness of God in those times – it just wouldn’t be the same.
Thank you for helping me fix my eyes on Jesus and trust Him and make much of Him through all things in life.
(And obviously, thank You, Jesus!)
Very encouraging. Thank you so much!
How do I get him to “give [me] such a love for him”?
(I’m guessing its not as simple as an electromagnetic relay…)
How do I know if I’m just sitting in this desert because I’m not clever and took a wrong turn?
This was very encouraging to me as I feel it typifies my experience for the last several years…going, not knowing what God is doing or will do, having to trust His wisdom when it confronts our own. This is where I live most days. Thanks for reminding me that my devotion to following Christ in the desert is not in vain.
Hey Tom,
I’m glad you are able to be encouraged by what the Lord has done in my life. Your comments remind me of Paul’s statement:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 CO 1.3-4).
I’m sure you in turn will encourage others to keep their eyes on Christ. Thanks for your comments.
Thanks Yeller!
Mike,
Obviously, I don’t know the details of your situation, but generally all believers go through deserts at one time or another and the ultimate reason is because they are following Jesus. Unless the Holy Spirit has convicted you of some specific sin that put you in the desert, I would trust that Jesus led you there in his love for you. And even if you did get there because of some sin, if you’re a child of God Jesus will work all things including your desert situation for good.
As far as getting him to give you that kind of love, the best thing to do is ask him for it. He’ll never turn that request down. I know that with my heart’s tendency to grow cold, I must regularly ask Jesus to help me love him. When we pray this prayer, we are praying according to God’s will, and we know we have the thing we’ve asked of him.
Thanks for commenting!
Hi Briana!
Always great hearing from you! Your devotion to Christ in your desert is definitely not in vain. It’s so pleasing to Christ and a God-glorifying example to me and others. Nothing shows the glory of Christ like Christians who keep loving him through long trials.
Hey there Mark,
Great post, as usual! I’m reminded of 2 Chronicles 20:12, the prayer that Jehoshaphat offered to the Lord. He wasn’t in a desert so to speak but I know in my desert places, I struggle with knowing what to do. His prayer here is excellent, “we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you”
I have to come to a place of complete and utter trust in my relationship with the Lord, the battle is His and I just have to show up. As I walk through my desert place, I’m finding myself more aware of my sin, more aware of my self righteousness and self-reliance. God is definitely calling me to a life of dependence on Him.
I loved what you said above “That’s what it is to love Jesus. To follow him in the wilderness and trust him, no matter what the outcome. To keep following him when we’re dry and thirsty, tired and weary. Where it’s bleak and boring. What devotion he implants in our hearts, to go, not knowing where, to walk with him in arid places because he alone can satisfy our thirsty souls.” Jesus really is all that we need in this life, everything else pales in comparison. Thanks so much for sharing this, again much needed!
Blessings
Ron Reffett
Thanks for sharing! God is so good to have you write this at just the time I needed it.
Hey Ron,
You’re so right – deserts expose our hearts….guess we need them! And the key issue as you said is trust. Thanks again for commenting.
Hi Elaine,
I’m grateful the Lord would encourage you through the post…I’m sure he’ll continue to encourage and strengthen you. Thanks for letting me know.