Read: Psalm 68:4-10
. . . when you marched through the wilderness, the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain . . . (vv. 7-8)
God’s people often find themselves on a journey. Adam and Eve left the safety of Eden’s enclosure for the wild world, Abraham and Sarah were nomads in the desert, and the people of Israel wandered for forty years after their rescue from Egypt. Jesus’ life and ministry was a meandering one as well, as his disciples soon discovered. God’s people are wanderers; they follow a God who is always on the move. This journey often takes us through wilderness spaces. The wilderness is a difficult, unknown place, filled with insecurity and threat. It is also a place where we are able to encounter God most vividly, experiencing God’s nearness and provision.
God’s people know the journey well. We know that our God will not let us languish for long in comfort, but seeks to keep us growing. You may have recently experienced, or are currently experiencing, a wilderness time. Perhaps you are wandering through the darkness of the unknown, feeling disoriented and upended, just hoping to make it out alive.
For the next two weeks, we will journey alongside some of the women who make up the story of God’s people. These women find themselves in their own personal wilderness. In fact, they often find themselves literally wandering through wilderness spaces. They will be our friends and guides as we navigate our own journeys. —Amy Curran
As you pray, consider the ways and times God has “gone out before you” into the wilderness.
About the Author
Amy Curran is a gardener, a reader, a runner, and an avid coffee drinker. She lives in Durham, North Carolina, where she runs a community garden and a farm-to-table café for Reality Ministries.
