Having a wilderness experience? In the middle of Jesus ministry with a large crowd standing around, Jesus gave a word for you! At the culmination of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus cries out John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” It was a word that wouldn’t be fulfilled until the famous Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The Children of Israel had been celebrating this since being delivered from bondage in Egypt. It was meant to remind them of coming out with nothing, and then being blessed by God. When first instituted they had no idea it was going to be about a forty year wilderness of transition before experiencing coming into their promised land and fruitfulness.
Simply put, a typical wilderness is a place where water is scarce, food is limited, and walking alone is common. On this inner journey there is no Bear Grylls to lead and guide us on our “two day adventure” as we eat something strange, while also getting in touch with nature and ourselves. Two days stretches people emotionally, but “forty years” is a very different thing. When you feel like you are in a rut that has become a “grave with the ends kicked out”, you are in a wilderness.
The first thing to realize is that God is more present than our experience is telling us. He was with the children of Israel as a pillar of fire by night (heat), as well as a pillar of cloud by day (shade). They had shoes that didn’t where out, a daily supply of food, and clear guidance along the path. It still wasn’t home, God was dealing with their unbelief, and trials abounded. Jesus also is referenced by the Apostle Paul in the following verse 1Cor. 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
The next thing to realize is that we must partake of Him or drink Him in. Jesus words remind us that He is now our source of Living Water. He alone can turn our wilderness into an oasis, by filling us with His Spirit. Are you thirsty for God? He loves you! In Luke 11:9-11 after teaching His disciples the Lord’s prayer, He reminds them to ask for the Holy Spirit. God’s answer to our wilderness is giving us Himself. Don’t curse the wilderness, meet God in it, and ask Him to fill and refill you with His Spirit.