The Wilderness
What if it's not what you think?
“These were the men who… were among the warriors who helped him in battle…
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness.
They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear.
Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains…
Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.”
1 Chronicles 12:1, 8, 22 NIV
David is on the run from King Saul who wants to kill him. David is being pursued and his life is in danger.
Doesn’t life feel that way so often? We feel the pressure of circumstances and just life in general.
It’s so easy to feel chased down by the noise of our culture. Or our own thoughts and feelings of living out things we didn’t see coming — wanting it to be different.
This crossroads of frustration, fear, and weariness that David felt has some things to tell us.
First — do you see that David’s stronghold is in the wilderness?
His place of refuge and safety is actually IN THE WILDERNESS.
The wilderness is not a place of punishment or being banished.
God uses wilderness times to be our stronghold — where we are held, protected, and prepared for whatever comes next.
The second thing I see here is that David wasn’t alone. He had help.
People came to him, there in the wilderness, to help him and be with him. Day after day.
This is what we need in the wilderness…
… and who we need to be for others in their wilderness seasons.
Battling together. Fighting for each other.
Fighting in prayer. Able to wield the shield of faith and the sword that is the Word for one another (Ephesians 6).
We are meant to lean into wilderness seasons — asking God to be our stronghold & change us through it.
And fight for one another — in prayer and meeting needs and simply being present in the wilderness with each other.
Day after day.
Thank you for doing this!
Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms when he got tired. He had help and the Israelites won the battle. Like Moses, we need support from our community to stand strong. This is such a great reminder. Holding you up with continuous prayers.