Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16 (NIV)
Wilderness wanderings and sufferings are a given for the people of God. Indeed, they are promised by our Lord Jesus Himself in John 16:33 (NIV): “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Yet, God turns even those troubles into beauty as they are His choicest tools to grow us up as His “oaks of righteousness” – plantings of the Lord for the display of His splendor.
We do not seem to learn very well in plenty. Indeed, more often than not, in ease we can become prideful and sassy and full of ourselves instead of the Lord Jesus. And self often leads us down wrong paths. We end up wandering around in a “trackless waste” of our own choosing. Hence the command of our Lord in all four Gospels to deny self and follow Him. He is the way. God knows what is very best for His children and He desires for us to be like Jesus. Our Lord poured out His life like a drink offering and was selfless and full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. “Against such things there is no law,” Scripture tells us.
The word “rest” for those who are weary and spent is full of heaven, is it not? Constantly in the field of battle, our peace here is robbed by conflict, pain and grief. Heaven is perfectly holy and flawless - replete with rest – nothing enters into it which is defiled in in any form or fashion. Perfect peace. Sounds delicious, does it not? And God uses the present to sanctify us for our future dwelling. Remember, earth is not home, heaven is. Yet, we are not merely to be dreaming of home as there is still work to be done here. Our lives are to point others to the Lord Jesus through both our words and our actions. “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did”, John writes in 1 John 2:6 (NIV). We are to conduct our lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel so that others may see Jesus in us. “Follow Me,” is His plea.
“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21 (NIV)