Devotionals

Wilderness Living

by Leona Mingo
09/25/26
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“In spite of this they still sinned, and did not believe in His wondrous works. Therefore their days He consumed in futility, and their years in fear.” “How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert! Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power; the day when He redeemed them from the enemy.” Psalm 78: 32,33, 40-42

God had manifested His power in multiple ways before the children of Israel (His people) in caring for them, correcting them and having a definite future of blessing in mind them but they persisted in their sin and it would appear that their disbelief was at the root of their sin (as it always is).

The psalmist was relating this history of his people to help the current group of His people learn from their paralyzing errors.

In the wilderness is where the LORD is desperately needed and it is not the place to be provoking and grieving Him by unbelief. It seems astounding that the Holy One of Israel would allow Himself to be limited in what He could do for His people, but it is stated, “they tempted God and limited the Holy One of Israel.” Their memories of His past power in redemption hopefully would generate new faith in His unfailing ability to work wonders in their presence again. What a loss was theirs if they could not grasp this.

Because in the wilderness of this world is where I desperately need the presence of the Lord in His care of, correcting of and leading of, my life, may I, in no way, limit Him, (by my unbelief), in His desire to bless me in this wilderness, by His grace and for His glory.