Sermon Central
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Roaming In The Wilderness
Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Sep 27, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: The wilderness is not a pleasant place to be, but when one is lost in the wilderness; death is almost certain. The wilderness of life can be cruel, but God is able to deliver all who trust in him.
TEXT: Genesis 21:14
"So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba."
THE WILDERNESD
The desert or wilderness is not a hospitable place to live. It is a dry, sun scorched land where nothing thrives. People who get lost in the desert often die after wandering aimlessly for days. Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in similar circumstances: lonely, broke, lost and hopeless. It's like roaming in the wilderness. When we are disappointed by men we put our hope on, the experience is akin to being abandoned in the desert::
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land" (Jer 17:5-6).
Hagar was in such a situation. Sarah could not bear with her and her son and sent them packing. They wandered aimlessly in the desert until their stock of food and water were exhausted. Death stared them in the face in the reality of the desert. In despair they cried and God heard them.
“...I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears. But God heard the boy crying..." (Gen 21:16:17). God intervened and made a way for them in the desert.
ROAMING IN THE WILDERNESS
Are you roaming in the wilderness of life? Are you confused, lonely, lost and discouraged? Cry to God for help today. The one who took the children of Israel through the desert for forty years is still alive. He heard the cry of Hagar and Ismael. He will hear your cry. Remember that those who refuse to repent and continued in their sin were consumed by the wilderness. Only Joshua and Caleb survived the desert. But if you surrender wholly to him, he will surround you with his love and make a way for you in the desert.
PRAYER
Father, I surrender to you. Deliver me from the wilderness in Jesus name.
DECREE:
I will not roam in the wilderness.
God bless you. Shalom.
