Grace in the Wilderness

Photo by David Billings on Unsplash

Scripture Reading: Psalm 109; Jeremiah 29-31; 2 Timothy 2

The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness…

- Jeremiah 31:2

Grace in the wilderness is one of those lines, a mere segment of a sentence that captures the attention and imagination. In the context of the chapter it is one small part of the hopeful promises of the restoration of God’s people after a period of judgment, but, to me at least, it seems to capture the whole moment with four succinct words.

“Wilderness” is one of the theme words that threads its way throughout the Scriptures. It would be a fitting description of where Adam and Even were cast after their Garden rebellion. It is where Israel found itself after their unbelief prompted by the spies bad report. And, it is where Jesus went to be tempted by the devil. Here, it is where Israel was during their time of exile.

Israel was physically in Babylon, the most advanced civilization at that moment in history. Yet, it was a wilderness. Wilderness is not simply about lacking physical comfort and convenience or dealing with wild beasts and sleeping in a tent on rocky ground. It isn’t even about whether our needs are being met. Israel, after all, had all the food and water they needed during their wilderness wanderings. God’s Presence was always there in the Fire and Cloud. Still, it is described as a time of wilderness.

Wilderness is about spiritual impoverishment, aimless wandering, and grieving over sin. It always feeling like you are never at home. It is the burden doubting you can survive another day like the last one. It is waking up in the morning and forcing yourself to take another step while not knowing where that step is taking you, if anywhere at all.

It is in these days, especially in these kind of days, that grace appears like manna from heaven – quiet, sufficient, abundant... Look for it with the eyes of faith and discover that grace is not just found in the beauty of the church, the comforts of home, or the moments of spiritual strength and growth. God meets us in exile bearing the gift of grace.

So if you find yourself walking through a wilderness — keep your eyes open. Grace is there. It may not come in the form you expect, but if you look with faith, you’ll find that the desert floor is covered with it.