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.