Called into the Desert

I love Texas, but the hot weather I can do without. Can somebody please move some mountains to Texas?!! Ha!!

This morning while sipping on my coffee, I was pondering the life of Paul. He had quite the background. Taught by Gamaliel, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, advancing in Judaism beyond his peers and zealous for the traditions of his Fathers. He was hostile to the name of Christ and gave his approval for the saints to be put to death.

But God had His eye on Paul.

On his way to Damascus with letters to bind Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem, he had an encounter with the resurrected Christ.

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? Why are you kicking against the goads?”

“I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things you have seen, but also to the things I will show you.”

The instructions were simple. He was to enter the city and there it would be told him what he must do. Notice that God did not lay out the entire plan. He was to obey God one step at a time.

Paul gets up from the ground and though his eyes were opened, he could not see. He was led by the hand to Damascus where he fasted and prayed for three days. God gave him a vision showing him that a man named Ananias would come and lay hands on him and he would regain his sight.

Ananias is also given a vision. He goes to Paul, lays hands on him and he regains his sight!!

After some time in Damascus, God calls him into the desert. We know it is at least three years before he goes to Jerusalem to meet some of the disciples.

What did Paul do in the desert?

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul states that the gospel he preached did not come from man, nor was he taught it by man. He received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

God called Paul into the desert. God met him there and it was there that He taught him.

Come to think of it, it seems to be a pattern.

Can you think of anyone else God called into the desert? How about Abraham, Moses, David and even the LORD Jesus!!

If God has called you into the desert, you’re in good company.

I’ve had my years of desert wanderings. And like Jacob, I have wrestled with God only to find the place where I wrestled to be holy ground. God meets us in the desert, and He teaches us and strengthens our faith. He comforts and encourages us!!!

It was in the desert running for his life, that David proclaimed, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer…I called upon the name of the LORD…” and He heard me.

What has God taught you in the desert? I would love to hear from you.