Photo by David McLenachan
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
Desert
Who changed the scenery from lush to dry?
Who turned up the heat, so that I would fry?
What did I do to be led to this place...
A desert of suffering, with no joy or grace?
A desert of waiting for answers to prayer—
For friends to sustain and show that they care.
A desert of loneliness—I have to cross
So the Master Refiner can melt off the dross.
Will I make it out alive? Or, die...
In a sea of exhaustion, wondering, “Why?”
Blinded by sandstorms of needless pain,
Thirsting for hope in a land without rain.
Dear Jesus went to the desert, too...
For testing concerning God’s Word that He knew.
He was led by the Spirit to that dreadful place.
To prepare Him for ministry, when Satan He faced.
So, remember—tough times can be used for gain.
And, Jesus has conquered the land without rain.
As He was led in, He was also led out.
I too, will emerge, I must believe, not doubt.
© 2015 gratefulsue
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Have you ever experienced a “desert” in terms of your emotions? A time with little or no joy? Maybe your desert was loneliness, loss, or facing a serious illness. These deserts are terrible at the time, but with time, the landscape changes. Eventually, God brings us out, like the poem hopes. He has more work for us to do in ministering to others.
For the believer in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, even death has hope. It has been transformed by Christ’s resurrection and promise of eternal life.