It's A Jungle Out There

For I am about to do something new. See? I have already begun. Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness.   (Isaiah 43.19 NLT)

I love this verse. It gives me hope and excitement as I look toward the future. It’s a promise that God is up to something. And I’ll see it if I pay attention. While the specifics may not be clear, I know I'm on his radar. And He’s already begun. It’s exciting. New. And it's for now.

Yet the last sentence brings me up short.

Wilderness? Can’t we go from Point A to Point B and get to the good stuff?

Must be not.

At least He we are assured that whatever wilderness comes our way, He will help. Provide a path. Rescue us when trouble comes. . .often despite ourselves.

The Israelites had a wilderness experience. Literally. But most of their issues were consequences of their own making.

How often do we do the same thing?

God had done something new, and it was a biggie. He directed Moses to lead them out of captivity after years of slavery and lengthy negotiations with Pharaoh. He provided yummy food (quail and manna) and water, made sure their clothes didn’t wear out. He even gave them GPS (a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.)
I imagine they were very excited. After decades of bondage, they were on their way to freedom.

Yet they whined and complained. They were disobedient, naughty and caused all kinds of trouble. No wonder they're called the “children” of Israel.

When they arrived at the Promised Land, God told Moses to send out spies to assess the situation. They returned with ten scary reports and two hope-filled messages that the people latched on to.

Why is it human nature to default to the negative?

Because of the fear-mongering, the people rebelled against Moses. They gave into anxiety, ignored their leaders, and doubted God. Maybe they figured that returning to slavery in Egypt was better than their current state of affairs. Their orneriness took over, their hearts hardened, and God had enough.

It must’ve broken His heart. He doesn’t enjoy disciplining us when we display bad behavior. Or run ahead of Him because we think we know more than He does. But like a good parent, He had to teach them to trust Him even when they didn’t understand. And face the consequences for their actions.

Are we so very different?

I like being ‘large and in charge’. Having my own way. I’m the kind that “makes” things happen after deep thinking, careful research, and intricate preparation. Spontaneity and snap decisions aren’t part of my equation. I often justify my actions by presuming that as long as I’ve carefully investigated and have a plan, it’s no problem to move ahead.

Until it is.

Or I don’t want to bother God with the mundane. Surely there are some things I can handle without consulting Him. He must have better things to do. So with a glib, "Hey, God, I know you’re busy. I got this," off I go. Is it any wonder I end up lost, blind, and deceived, the good stuff delayed because of my lack of cooperation?

Sometimes we end up in the wilderness from bad choices. Or we take the wrong fork in the road because we didn’t listen. Maybe, like those other bad kids, we whine, complain, and decide that our way is better than His.

Jungle times can also result from circumstances beyond our control. We may even be trying to do the right thing but it all goes sideways. Or we are legitimately victimized and become collateral damage.

Whatever the reason, wilderness wandering almost always has a common denominator: The enemy.

But look at these who want me dead, shouting their vicious threats at me! The moment they discover my weakness they all begin plotting to take me down. (Psalms 62.3  TPT)

Satan must love it when we end up in a jungle mess because of our antics. Cunning and sly, he’ll pounce while we’re distracted and drag us into his lair.

It may not seem so bad at the time. Maybe even pretty or pleasant. But appearances can be deceptive.

Danger lurks in the unknown as we stumble about. Out of our element, alone and confused, panic sets in, with fear on its heels. (I’m directionally challenged and can’t find my way out of a paper bag. The thought being lost in a jungle makes me want to curl into the fetal position.)

Dense foliage surrounds us and rustling in the underbrush has us quaking in our hiking boots. Whining wouldn’t be far behind, followed by a screech of “I want a do-over!”.

We desperately need someone to help us. And it’s not Indiana Jones.

I stand silently to listen for the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for the Lord to rescue me. For God alone has become my Savior. (Psalms 62.1 TPT)

Listen as long as it takes? For real?

Yup.

He promises to rescue us. He has a plan. But He doesn’t always share the when, where, and how. The only option we have is to trust Him.

What a novel idea.

In the still of the silence, He’ll download instructions. Small, incremental steps as we focus on Him instead of our panic. Gentle guidance to bring us back to safety.

Out of the jungle. . .on a pathway through the wilderness.

He alone is my safe place; his wrap-around presence always protects me. For he is my champion defender; there’s no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? (Psalms 62.6  TPT)

Do YOU Have a Plan?

I look forward to 2018 with great excitement.

2017 was awesome despite the challenges of being newly retired. It was a time of adjustment as I got my footing in the land of “New Normal.”

I have such a blessed life!

I learned to swim and discovered that simple pleasures bring me great joy. I’ve come to a relaxing place of serenity where I smile more and stress less. And I look forward to what's next.

 So what does 2018 hold for you?

 An overdue vacation or a grandbaby on the way? Perhaps marriage, a different car, or exploring a new hobby. So much anticipation and excitement. The sky’s the limit (cliche, but true.)

But what if your outlook is . . .different?
  
For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows. . .
(John 16.33 TPT)

You may dread the future, paralyzed by fear. Financial difficulties. Debilitating illness. Loss of a loved one, aging parents, or the immanent threat of divorce. So many unknowns that wreak havoc on our hearts and lives.

A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy.(John 10.10 TPT)

Whether it’s good or the not-so-good, satan swoops in, ready to cause trouble by attacking our joyful anticipation or ramping up fear-fueled dread. It’s not a matter of IF but WHEN: Trouble will come and he’s right in the middle of it.

So when the wheels come off the bus, what can we do?

Often my first response is to cower in fear. Anxiety and panic overtake me as I get overwhelmed, wallow, and ruminate myself into a frenzy. I expend a lot of energy on things that often never even happen, allowing terror to drown me like a tsunami.

Thank goodness the Bible shows us another option as opposed to letting the enemy take us down.

It starts with a plan.

In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! (Ephesians 6.16  TPT)

Dawn’s been teaching about Jesus as our shield of faith. He’s the “how to” of disarming and deflecting the enemy.

Shields in Biblical times were made of rectangular layers of wood glued together. They were as large as a door and often covered in hide then drenched in water to extinguish the arrows lobbed by the enemy.

They were a defensive weapon of protection as well as an offensive tool to push against the enemy or in a group, to form an impenetrable wall.

Our faith is the wrap-around shield and Jesus will come between us and enemy. The flaming arrows that violate God’s will will no longer trouble us as we remain safe in His care.

But we must do our part by being prepared, shield at the ready.

We have a call to action: To raise the shield of faith as a first line of defense instead of a last resort, confidant that Jesus will come alongside in our time of need. Or when things go sideways. Or the enemy tires to wreak havoc on the good things.

Thank goodness we don’t have to do it alone.

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. (2nd Chronicles 20.15 NLT)

He’ll give us strategies and love us through the crisis.
He’ll comfort and heal our broken hearts.
He’ll provide protection so that the fiery darts will sizzle and die.

It won’t be easy. War never is.

We will get weary, tired arms quivering with fatigue as we hold up our shield. And we wonder if we can keep going.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. (Hebrews 12.12. NLT)

Time to regroup, remembering that victory is not from the success of our own efforts but comes by running to Him, raising the shield of faith. . .

. . .and it starts with a plan.

Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. (Eph. 3.17  TPT)