Thanksgiving in the Wilderness
Psalms 68:7 – O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us prepare to gather with family and friends to spend time relaxing and let’s face it – – – eating all day long. We may start off with that full course meal, followed by a nice long nap, and then it’s the perpetual snack time to sun down. Surely, we are blessed to partake of such a Thanksgiving, but I want to share a message with that brother or sister who probably won’t have this type of Thanksgiving.
One group that is on my heart right now are those people in the “wilderness.” Not just the men and women serving in the military overseas, but those right here who are going through their trials and tribulations during Thanksgiving as well. You could be facing your first Thanksgiving without loved ones or that special person. You could be fighting financial hardships, emotional struggles, sickness, disease, or loneliness. Whatever your wilderness is during this Thanksgiving, we have a word for you.
Psalms 68:7 – O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
Now, to start this off, I want to go to the end of our text first and look at the word “Selah.” If you have an amplified bible, whenever you see the word “Selah,” know that it means “Pause and calmly think about that!” So after reading this text, I did just that. I read the text, paused, and calmly thought about it; it was then that God gave me the vision of Himself carrying out His word.
Our text tells us that God Himself went before His people in the wilderness. As I pondered that thought, I saw Him going before you in your wilderness situation like a mighty explorer in the thickest jungle, cutting away bushes and obstacles that are blocking you from what He has for you. I saw Him mowing down hills and uneven terrain, all to make your journey more bearable. I saw Him leaving provisions for you along the journey to ensure that you reach your destination.
As He went forth before us, He prepared the way. He prepared friends to help get us make it through. He prepared provisions to get us through. He made a way to walk along and prepared a word in due season to keep us strong. However, the one thing I really want you to understand is that you are not outside the will of God because you are in the wilderness. How can I say that? Here’s how!
Our text tells us that God went before His people when He marched through the wilderness. This tells me two things: First, your wilderness experience was not a surprise to God. He knew it was coming, and He even planned for it. Secondly, if God goes before you, then it must be obvious that He is with you. And if He is with you, then surely, He has a plan to get you out of what you are in.
Now I know that you might be in Iran, Iraq, or Afghanistan when you receive this message, but know that your surprise trip did not surprise God. I know that you might be in debt up to your ears, and you might not be able to afford a turkey this Thanksgiving, but it did not surprise God. The devil may be launching a full scale attack on your family, your business or you body right now, but it did not surprise God. We should know God is never surprised because He is ever before us clearing the way of dangers seen and unseen. He is steadily setting up provision and preparing places of rest, even during the wilderness stages of our lives.
Therefore, we shall thank our God and bless Him at all times. In every situation, we will thank Him for the road out of the wilderness. Every time it looks like we aren’t going to make it out, we know that He has gone before us to make a way out, and we will thank Him. At every mountain, we shall thank Him. Over every obstacle, we will thank Him. During all the headaches and heartaches, we will thank Him. There is nothing the devil can throw at us that will stop us from thanking Him – – – so devil, See Ya’ and Selah (Pause and calmly think about that!!)!!