Training In The Desert

Have you every found yourself in a place where you had to start over from scratch or go back to the beginning and try again? It can be a very trying experience and yet it serves an amazing purpose.

Twenty years ago I found myself in that place. What I had been taught since I was a child no longer made sense and I knew that it was not the truth. I had turned away from the teachings with a rebellious attitude when I was younger, but had returned as an adult to find the truth for myself.

What I discovered was that I did not believe the doctrines and teachings and I learned the hard way that all my efforts to be a good and worthy person would eventually fall short. It always felt like my sins were always before me, reminding me that I would never be good enough or worthy enough; I had simply sinned to much.

When I heard the message of grace I couldn’t believe that it could be that simple, but it is. If I had been taught wrong about the most important message in life, what else did I need to relearn about my faith and beliefs? It was time to go back to beginning and start learning all over again.

If you’ve ever found yourself in this place you are in good company. The apostle Paul spent almost three years in the desert after his conversion. God trained Moses in the desert and He put Abraham in a rather unique place to train him. Elijah had that same type of experience and David was also trained outdoors in the caves of the earth while running away from King Saul. God is all about new beginnings and starting over.

When I was in my own desert of training I had time alone with God and He introduced me to His word. He taught me that I could pray and ask for understand and for a passion for His word. It was a prayer that He was eager to answer.

In reading His word I came to understand how personal faith is. It’s not about fitting in to a group or organization nor is it something we have in order to please others or to try and receive their acceptance.

It is a choice we make for ourselves to accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and receive the gift of salvation that His death on the cross provided for us. It continues as our personal relationship with Christ with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to transform us into the person God created us to be.

Faith means complete confidence or trust in someone or something. Who or what do you have complete confidence in? When I began my training in the desert my answer would have been, “I’m not sure.” But after spending time in God’s word and in prayer I know without a doubt that my confidence and trust is in God alone.

God is the creator of the Universe and before time began He called me to be holy and blameless in His sight. (Ephesians 1:4) He loved me enough to die for me so that I could be with Him for eternity. He paid the price for my sins, redeeming my soul and set me free from sin.

He gave me His Holy Spirit to guide me and show me the way to live the life He created me to live. He has given me a hope and future. He has called me His own. I am deeply loved and fully accepted by Him.

No man made religion will every be able to do any of those things.

I am eternally grateful for the training in the desert that I received. It took commitment on my part to daily seek God with an open heart and mind. To read His word with a desire to know for myself what was true.

After the men mentioned above spend time relearning and being trained by God they boldly went out and served their life’s purpose. I want to do the same.

Their boldness was often met with challenges, but God was always faithful and was always with them. He had fully equipped them and gave them words to speak when needed. He told them when to move and when to be still and He was always their confidence, the One they could trust.

God does the same for each of us. The invitation is open to receive Him as your Lord and Savior and to be set free. It’s your choice. That choice can begin today with a simple prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus:

I know that I am a sinner and I believe that you died to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank you for taking my punishment. Please come into my heart and help me to live for you. Amen

If you just prayed that prayer and have trusted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior I welcome you to the family of God. I would be honored to pray with and for you. As you begin your training in the desert I pray that you will develop a passion for His word and enjoy the privilege of speaking to God through prayer, anytime and anywhere. The angels in heaven are rejoicing at your decision today.

Please let me know if you have questions or prayer requests through the link on the home page.

My Prayer

Father, I thank you for the years of training in the desert that You have given to me. Thank you for Your word and the privilege that I have to speak to You anytime and anywhere in prayer. You are my confidence Lord, the One in whom I place my trust. Thank you for the freedom You purchase for me and I pray that I will boldly live the life You have created me to live. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

2 Timothy 3: 16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.