The Wilderness

My husband had a second chemo treatment this week.  We wait patiently through the process guided by medical professionals and feel God’s hand leading the way.  There is a sense that we are being led into the “wilderness.”  Today God’s Word helped clarify His plan for us.

This morning I picked up a devotional given to me by a dear friend. It led me to Deuteronomy 8.

“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.  He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”  Deut. 8:2-3

Although this wilderness of chemo treatments will not be 40 years, it is already causing hunger and humility.   Mark hungers for the daily buzz of the school environment, the never-dull academic career that God has so clearly prepared him for through the years.  He wants to be having an impact on his students every day instead of walking in this wilderness.  Side effects are humbling but a Marine is prepared for anything.  He is facing it all with determination and diligence.  A moment of discouragement is quickly removed by the Holy Spirit’s whisper in a Bible verse, an email or an endearing moment with our children.  God is telling Mark that He is preparing him for a time beyond.  He has peace and comfort.  He’s David waiting in a cave, Joseph in prison, the Israelite in the wilderness.

When I read Deuteronomy 8, I was reminded of God’s provision for the Israelites in the wilderness.   It’s easy to remember the manna, but God also provided other physical needs.  “Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.” Deut. 8:4  For forty years the Israelites’ clothes didn’t wear out?  That part amazed me because my first grader wears out his shoes in just a few months and he's not roaming around in the wilderness.

I was quickly humbled by the fact that I don’t take enough time to thank God for the many things He is obviously providing to help us through this time.  Even though our shoes don’t last, we have hand-me-downs!   God is providing, and I am realizing that we really need fewer things. We’ve received wise counsel, excellent medical care, generous gifts, providentially coordinated schedules, and even a tax refund.  He is faithful. 

We know that God will lead us through this wilderness and that “in the end it will go well with us.”  (Deut. 8:16) So in the mean time we will “observe the commands of the LORD our God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.” (Deut. 8:6)

Thank you God for your discipline and provision especially in the wilderness.  Your Word is powerful and your promises sustain us and give us hope.