Many years ago, I taught a class for people who had been through very hard, disappointing times. On the class notes I printed for them, I drew a picture. Recently, I was reflecting on this image from so many years ago. It is a picture of a smooth, clear road through the desert. On each side of the road, is a desert wasteland of sand, scorpions and snakes.
The picture I drew represents the dangers of wandering off the path God has prepared for us. We become stuck in an unrelenting dry place. It is full of risk, failure, uncertainty and perhaps despair. You may be there, or know someone who is. The good news is God spoke of a way of escape.
Psalm 91:15-16 (NKJV)
“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. {16} With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)
“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.”
Do what you just read – call upon God. Do not demand an explanation from Him. The question is not likely to be answered. God is never obligated to do so. Just call out to Him and let Him lift you out of the desert and place you back on that road through the wilderness. Well, don’t just stand there with your feet stuck in the sand. Call out to God and start walking! While you are at it, give God a shout of praise!