The desert road...

In my scripture reading this morning I was reading along and was arrested by three little words.  I often find when reading God's Word that what once seemed insignificant suddenly becomes significant. The Word never gets old does it? It is new and fresh every day and has such power to give us fresh insights for our own lives.

So what were these three little words and where were they found? I was reading Acts chapter 8 today. The three little words that became significant are found in verse 26 - Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. Verse 27 begins - So he arose and went.

Now first of all let's not pass over the fact that an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip - Yes, spoke to Philip. Amazing as that is that's not what really got me about the text. It's those three words "this is desert". So Philip is being told to head down a desert road. He wasn't given any other directions or told what to expect or how far down the desert road to go. All he got was head down the road, and he got up and went! Of course as we read further on in the text we see the plan of God unfold.

Do you ever think you are on a desert road?

Have you ever found yourself saying "I was sure this is where I was supposed to go but it's so dry here."? Hang on because God has a plan. Trust Him.

Or maybe one door has closed and you are plodding along on what seems to be a desert road. Have you ever considered that it was God who closed the door because your purpose there was finished and He wants to move you ahead into a new thing? It may be right around the corner so don't spend your time looking back. Look ahead instead. I don't think we can hear God's voice very well when we are looking back. In Acts chapter 8 we see that Philip had been preaching in Samaria and what a revival broke out there! People were being healed. Multitudes were coming because of the miracles that were taking place. Philip was in a good place. Things were happening. Then he hears the word to head down the desert road. Philip obediently "arose and went". That wasn't the end of his ministry, on the contrary more exciting things happened that affected authorities and even the queen of a country. He wasn’t focused on his seeming popularity and all the great miracles that were taking place. He was focused on obeying the Word of the Lord, no matter where it took him.

Maybe you have had to move to a new city, or country and all seems as if it is desert because you have lost all that is familiar. Don't lose hope. God sees you where you are and He has an amazing plan and purpose for you there. His word says that! Keep 'walking down the road'. He will lead and guide you as you lean on Him into new fellowship, vision and purpose.

I have walked down a few desert roads in my life. I have found that God is FAITHFUL. I am amazed by Him over and over again. Looking back I don't regret the desert times, it is there that I found what was truly inside of me, and what a wonderful, powerful and loving Saviour I have in Jesus. If you find yourself on such a road why not commit it all to the Lord, rest in Him.

An Encouraging Word…

We all need them, don’t we, encouraging words! I wonder how many people have led fulfilled lives without them. I suspect none. I wonder how many people have gone on to affect the lives of many others for good without encouragement. I wonder how many people have gone on to greatness without the encouragement to not give up, to stay the course. Again, I suspect none.

In pondering this, a scene passed before me in my mind. It was of people who had accomplished great things coming before God to receive their reward. Each person was not alone. Some had many people with them. Some had one or two. When the time came to ‘enter the gates’ it was the people accompanying the seemingly more important person that entered the gates first; the person who had accomplished much came behind. While yet on earth it was the person who had accomplished much who was seen, talked about and even praised. Unseen were these other ones. Who are these unseen? Yes, you may have guessed, these are the ones who came alongside, who encouraged and may have given wise advice so that the person did not give up but stayed the course to complete the work that was required. You see the work could not have been completed without the encouragement given by these precious unseen. Their reward was very great. (This is an analogy only. We are saved by grace only, not of works)

As Christians we know that any good work we are in the process of carrying out comes with opposition. Often much opposition, which can lead to great discouragement, is thrown at the person before the ‘good work’ even gets started. The battle is often fought in the mind. This is why encouragement is so powerful.

Are you an encourager? It doesn’t take much, you know. A friendly smile sometimes will do.

Have you been praying for someone lately? Why not let that person know. Send them a little note. The words you say may sometimes seem insignificant to you, but have a far-reaching effect on the recipient.

Maybe someone needs a visit, just so you can listen to them pour out their heart – then offer to pray for them (and do it, of course).

Maybe God has given you a word for someone. Give the word – don’t hold on to it. Again it may seem so simple and insignificant to you, but may be life changing to the one who receives it.

We will not always be aware that we have been used of God to encourage someone. Don’t let that discourage you from offering encouragement to others by words or deeds any time the occasion rises.  

I believe all of us face times in our lives when we need to know that we are not alone, that someone has been thinking about us, has lifted a prayer for us. I have recently been on the receiving end of desperately needed encouragement. I am so grateful for the dear people God put on my path recently who ministered life to me. I was awed and amazed by a few words that a friend sent to me just today. It had a profound effect on me. It is also what led me to ponder on the need for encouragement and to share my thoughts with you dear reader. God knows we all have this need, and He provides it wonderfully!

All the glory goes to God doesn’t it, for all of our accomplishments! We cannot take credit for ourselves. God is the One who provides the way and the means, and the encouragement along the way to get things done.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 (Amplified Bible)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.

Maybe you are the one who needs encouragement right now. Don’t throw in the towel yet my friend. God sees you. You are not hidden from Him. He is working on your behalf. Lean on Him. He will not fail you!!! God is faithful, always and forever good!!!