Part 4 of 6
God in the Wilderness
Opening reflection
Wilderness seasons are rarely comfortable.
Yet throughout Scripture, God often forms people deeply in places of uncertainty, obscurity, dependence, and limitation.
Scripture
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you." (Deuteronomy 8:3)
Deuteronomy 8:3
An image to sit with
The Valley of Baka — where weeping becomes springs
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. (Psalm 84:5–7)
Baka means weeping. The psalm does not pretend the valley is anything other than what it is — but it promises that pilgrims whose strength is in God turn even this place into springs. The springs are not found by leaving the valley; they are made by walking through it with God.
If this is your valley right now, you are not off the path. You are on pilgrimage.
Reflect
Sit with each prompt unhurriedly. Your reflections save automatically.
Reflect
Reflect
Prayer
Lord, help me notice Your presence even here. Amen.
Walking
With God this week — and, if you can, with someone.
Notice one small evidence of grace today. Write it down.