1. Story of the water pump in the desert
There’s a legend about a man who was lost in the desert, dying of thirst. As he wandered in that terribly hot desert, he stumbled upon a dilapidated shack. There wasn’t much to it, but, at least, it would provide a little bit of shade and respite for him.
He was looking around when he noticed about fifteen feet away from him a rickety, rusty old pump. He staggered over to the pump and grabbed hold of the handle. He began to work that pump up and down, but nothing came out. He saw an old jug covered with dirt and filth. He began to wipe off what appeared to be a label or a note. He brushed away the dirt and began to make it out. It said: "You have to prime the pump with all the water in the jug. P.S. Be sure to fill the jug again before you leave."
Wow! Suddenly, he was faced with this life-or-death decision. Here’s the sure thing, a jug with some water. At least, if he drank that, he could live a little while longer. But if, indeed, it was true, he would have access to flowing, fresh, cool water ... as much as he could possibly want.
He pondered that decision for a few moments. Could he really trust that set of instructions that were no telling how old? He decided to go for it. He popped the cork. Sure enough, it was almost full of water. He walked over to the pump, poured it all into the pump, and grabbed hold of the handle. He began to work that pump again. At first, nothing came out.
Then, there appeared a trickle of water. He kept pumping and it grew into a larger stream. Suddenly, it was gushing with all the cool, flowing, wonderful water he could possibly want.
He filled the jug and drank it. He filled it and drank it again. He was marvelously refreshed. Then he remembered the note. He filled the jug again, put the cork back in place, and added his own little note to it: "Believe me, it really works. You have to give it all away to get it back."
The man trusted what he was told and learned a valuable lesson in the desert that would also benefit others.
2. The Jewish people refer to themselves as “Desert People”
a. Place of Freedom – away from Egypt and Pharaoh
b. Place of learning who God is
c. Place of pruning (40 years until unfaithful died off)
d. Place of dependence on God
3. God’s Leaders Have Often Found Themselves in the Desert
a. Moses – 40/40
b. Elijah
c. John the Baptist/Essenes
d. Yeshua (Jesus) – Matthew 4; Luke 4
e. Paul – Galatians 1.11-20
4. Mark 1.1-8/Isaiah 40.3
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying, In the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
5. To Get Through the Desert We Must Follow the Path:
a. Human Perspective: “Wilderness Wanderings” – Lamentations 1.7
Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and wandering all the precious things that were hers from days of old. When her people fell into the hand of the foe, and there was none to help her, her foes gloated over her; they mocked at her downfall.
b. Divine Perspective: “God’s Leading” – Deuteronomy 2.1
“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea, as the LORD told me. And for many days we traveled around Mount Seir.
I. Know the Path
A. It’s Not a Paved Sidewalk – Matthew 7.13-14
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
B. It IS Sometimes a Difficult way – Seen in the Stones Along the Way
1. Small, Annoying Stones – Psalm 91.11-12
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
No Real harm; annoyance more than difficulties – rock in the shoe; irritation on the job; with kids; etc.
2. Bigger – Some pain; ankle twisters; lose job; escalating kid issues; disease
3. Larger – Those issues that will bring us to our knees – don’t know how to continue
4. Boulders – NO WAY around or over
C. It Is God’s Way – Psalm 81.1-3
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! 2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
81.7 7 In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
81.11-16 11 “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. 13 Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. 15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever. 16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
1. Satan means it for evil; God means it for good (Genesis 50.20)
2. God says Be on my path” – it is not easier
He Does not say, “Choose my path and life will be easier; or I’ll clear the way.”
He Does say – “Follow and gain the finest wheat and honey from the ROCK” – Presence of God
3. God’s word = Honeycomb (child eats honey and parent compares bible to honey; when studying the child finds it a sweet experience, not a burden)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Psalm 19.7-10
Years ago, a Scotchman lived in Liverpool where he was to embark for his journey to America. He fingered the few coins that made up his entire earthly wealth, and decided that he would save as much as he could on food during the trip in order to have more money on hand when he reached New York. He went to a small store and bought a supply of crackers and cheese to get him through his days at sea. But as the voyage progressed the sea air made him very hungry. To make matters worse, the dampness in the air made his cheese hard and his crackers soft. He was almost desperate with hunger. The last straw came when he caught the fragrant whiff of delicious food on a tray a steward was carrying to another passenger. The hungry man made up his mind that he would have one good, square meal, even though it might take several of his shillings. He awaited the return of the steward and asked him how much it would cost to go to the dining room and get a dinner. The steward asked the Scotchman if he had a ticket for the steamship passage. The man showed his ticket, and the steward told him that all meals were included in the price of the ticket. The poor man could have saved the money he spent on crackers and cheese; he could have gone to the dining room and eaten as much as he liked every mealtime.
This is a humble picture of the position of many people who have believed in Christ as Savior. Because of that faith they are saved, but they go on their dreary way without enjoying any of the blessings God has for them in Christ
II. Show the Path
A. Our Walk Requires Our Actions (deed over creed)
1. Some who walked:
a. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3)
b. Enoch – Genesis 5 – after birth of his son
c. Abraham – Genesis 17
d. Yeshua (Jesus)
1) Faith
2) Seen in his actions – Teachings; Miracles; Acts of Compassion
3) Caused him to be recognized by John – “Behold the lamb of God” (John 1.29)
4) Affirmed by God at his baptism
2. Our walk is our declaration – 1 Peter 2.9-12
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Larry Stewart had lost his job and was living in his car. Hungry but broke, Stewart went into a restaurant and ordered a big breakfast. His plan was that when the check came he would claim he couldn’t find his wallet. When that happened, the owner of the diner, Ted Horn, came from behind the counter and bent to the floor near Stewart’s feet. “You must have dropped this,” he said, handing Stewart a $20 bill.
Stewart vowed that day that he would help others whenever he could. He made his way to Kansas City and eventually made a lot of money in business. At Christmas, Stewart would search for people in need and gave them cash. He called himself the Secret Santa. He asked only that they, in turn, help someone else. Over time Larry gave away an estimated 1.3 million dollars. Larry Stewart died in February 2006. On his death bed he confided in one of his friends about his benevolent work as the Secret Santa. This friend vowed that he would carry on Larry’s work as the Secret Santa. Now, there are many Secret Santas across the country. They even have a web site advancing and promoting their work: secretsantausa.com. They only have one condition to those receiving, that they pass something along to others. It was said of Larry Stewart- “He lit a candle every Christmas that was so bright, everyone could see.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
B. Our Walk Demands:
1. Dependence on God – Psalm 42
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
2. Provision from God (Deer’s Feet) – 2 Samuel 22.33-34
33 This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless. 34 He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.
C. Our Walk Brings Rest – Matthew 11.28-30
1. CF – Jeremiah 6.16
16 Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
2. Note – Yeshua (Jesus) does not say “It is written I will give you rest”
3. He says, “I will give you rest” = I am God
4. He is the path – John 14.6
III. Grow the Path
Bedouin saying, “Keep the path clear by walking on it.”
A. Obeying God Brings Immediate Benefit – Psalm 63.1-8
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
B. Obeying God Brings Future Benefit – Isaiah 32.1-2
Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. 2 Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.
1. Some aid us – we aid others as Israel; Yeshua (Jesus); Church to nations
2. Each Christian to Others
THE BRIDGE ((Anonymous)
An old man going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and gray
To a chasm vast, deep and wide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim
The sullen stream had no fear for him.
But he paused when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to stem the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting your strength by building here,
Your journey will end with the closing day,
You never again will pass this way.
You’ve crossed the chasm deep and wide,
Why build you this bridge at ev’ntide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head,
"Good friend, in the path I’ve come," he said,
There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that’s been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He too, must cross in the twilight dim.
Good friend, I’m building this bridge for him."
