Wilderness Outcomes

In my last post I talked about how God uses "wilderness" experiences in our lives to help us grow in character and in our relationship with Him.  Today, we'll be looking at the second part of Deuteronomy 8 where Moses talks about the outcomes of the wilderness.  In verses 7-19 Moses previews God's intention for the Israelites, having gone through the wilderness.  As Moses speaks, the Israelites are right across the Jordan from the promised land, waiting for the go-ahead to enter the land.  Before they do, God has some reminders for them both about where they've been and about where they are going.

Deut. 8:7-10 "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land... in which you will not lack anything...  Once you have eaten and are satisfied you shall bless the Lord for the good land he has given you." It's almost as if God is saying, "Now that you have been refined, challenged, trained in God's character and your need for him, you are ready to enter."  The result of having been refined in the wilderness is that the people are ready to receive what God has for them, and they will know that the blessing is from him.  They are ready to praise him for it.  I know in my own journey, as I began to emerge from the wilderness, I could see more clearly than I ever had that it was not by my own strength that I made it through.  I could see God's grace in the good, way beyond my failures and efforts. The result was a worship that permeated my heart, mind and soul as well as the way I viewed the world.  This is SO good!  This deep sense of worship brings a joy that nothing else can give.

Quickly after the celebration of the good that has come, God gives a warning.  Knowing that we are easily distracted from God's goodness, he says:  "Beware that you do not forget Yahweh... Otherwise... when your silver and gold multiply and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord's goodness."  How easily we forget that what we have is by God's grace!  How easily we begin to think that what we have is because of our own goodness and strength.   What the Israelites experienced in the wilderness is an anchor for them  to go back to, to remind them of their need and of God's goodness.  Moses reminds them that God brought them through the wilderness "that he might humble you and test you to do good for you in then.  Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who is giving you power to make wealth, that he may confirm his covenant which he swore to your fathers."

The outcome of the wilderness is that because we have learned humility, experienced our limitations and seen God's power and provision, we are now able to acknowledge God's grace.  We are now able to worship with a deeper appreciation for who God is.  We are able to see with spiritual eyes instead of through our own pride.  This is a grace from God because this is the only way to truly enjoy God's blessings without being controlled by them.  Otherwise, those same blessings may become an idol for us and separate us from the very God who gave them to us in love.  (Deuteronomy 8:19)

As you look back over your wilderness journey, how were you different on the other side of that season?  How were you able to appreciate God's goodness and grace in a way that you had not before?  Praise God for the deep work of the soul that only he can do...