Soul Scientist

Isaiah 45:3 ERV I will give you the wealth that is stored in secret places. I will give you those hidden treasures. Then you will know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

Psalm 139:12 ESV even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

God led the Israelites through the wilderness in every step, every second, every struggle. He led them all the way into the land He’d promised to them. There was no doubt or indirection in His leading. There was always His providing as with the water from the rock and clothes and sandals that never wore out. There was manna and new mercies every morning with His promises and pillar of fire every night.

They didn’t choose the wilderness. They didn’t like the wilderness. They knew God was with them in the wilderness. But their doubts and disobedience cost many of them their lives in the wilderness. Yet those who remained faithful to God in the wilderness didn’t just see the Promised Land. They saw God put victory and vineyards and forbearance and farmlands before them in the Promised Land.

They received hidden treasures from God’s Hand. They were wealthy in secret places because of God’s Hand. And they were appointed caretakers of new lands in the new light found in God’s Hand.

As I’m beginning my journey into a new wilderness, I am thinking about those Israelites who persevered and proclaimed God in faith and hope as they moved towards His promised land. One of my daddy’s heroes is Caleb who declared at 80 years old that with God’s help, he could defeat the giants in the Promised Land. And Caleb did exactly that. He stood on faith in his God. Caleb’s faith was in God. He knew his God Who’d brought him out of Egypt’s vice grip would bring him all the way into victory.

I don’t know how my God will bring me through this wilderness of breast cancer. But I know this truth – there is nothing or no one stronger than my God. And I know this truth – my God will stop at nothing for His glory to be made known and good brought to His people. My God has been faithful to bring me through multiple wildernesses in the past. There’s never been a step, second, or struggle where He left me alone. He’s been faithful in all His ways and to all His promises.

I can rely on His care and His love, no matter what might come. There’s no wilderness that can separate me from my God’s lavish, long-suffering, and load-bearing love. There’s no darkness that can stop the light of truth He gives in Scripture and the secret places of prayer.

And the very best part of all of this is that my God wants to show Himself faithful and kind to you, too. He will part waters and lead you through whatever wilderness you are in today. He is waiting to welcome you into His strong and tender arms where you will find rest (see Matthew 11:28-30). He will give you a peace that surpasses understanding and guards your heart and mind.  

With all that in mind, would you please pray that I will rely on my God’s love and rest in His peace here in this wilderness? And while you’re praying for me, please stop and let our Good God bring others to your mind and heart who are walking their wildernesses today, too. Prayer is our powerful weapon that welcomes faith and quiets fear, no matter how long or hard or dark the road through the wilderness.

Thank you. I am grateful for each and every one of you.

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2024.