Healing Rays of Righteousness

No one chooses to journey into difficult and troubling wilderness experiences. Not even Jesus. Wilderness experiences are a part of being human in a world of evil. Many are the unfortunate events that cause us much pain and suffering.  During these difficult wilderness times of anxious uncertainty, we struggle with inner feelings of being forsaken and unloved.

These times can be very desolate, lonely, agonizing, and scary. The wild beasts of anxieties and fear crouch in the brush nearby, ready to pounce and strangle us emotionally and physically. The slimy creatures of various temptations slither around waiting for the opportunity to strike with their deadly poisons. And the ugly vultures of doubt and despair circle overhead, waiting to devour whatever hope we are still clinging to.

I can say with certainty that every difficult wilderness experience has its wild animals that threaten us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Challenging our Christian faith, these demonic creatures intend to diminish our moral and spiritual values and destroy our belief and trust in a loving, caring Father God.

For that reason, I need to remind myself and you that throughout the biblical story, God repeatedly proclaims his unlimited love for us. We are told that God sees, God hears, and God acts by moving close to be present with us and strengthen us in confronting the threats these wild animals of the wilderness throw at us.

Mark says, “He (Jesus) was with the wild animals.”  And then he says, “and angels attended him.”  Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated as “angel” mean “messenger.” The angels are God’s messengers of hope, providing encouragement and strength when Jesus most needed it. And we can be assured that God’s angels do the same for us children of God.

Believing God’s promise, we can be assured that we are not alone in the wilderness. And we can feel God’s presence as His angels provide the strength and the reassurance we need to remain confident of God’s ever-loving care and provision for us.

Jesus understands the wilderness and its wild beasts. Jesus understands our loneliness and despair, because Jesus has already been there and in every way tested and stressed even as we are.  And he is with us, promising never to leave us nor forsake us.

With increasing faith and trust we can journey through the wilderness experience, and say with the psalmist, David, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4). Thanks be to God!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” –www.geigler13.wordpress.com – Ray M. Geigley