“A Spirit-Led Desert Journey "
Acts 8:26-40
“Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is desert.” [Acts 7:51]
The walk of faith can sometimes lead us into a desert. It is quite common that after a spiritual high comes a spiritual attack. Jesus Himself experienced this very thing. After our Lord’s baptism, “Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness” to be tempted.
We see a similar dynamic so many times after one of our baptism services. New believers publicly declare their faith in Jesus and then immediately spiritual attack comes that leads them into the wilderness. Then temptation comes luring them back into the world.
The revelation is that following Jesus comes with a battle. Our faith in Christ will be tested. The life of faith includes Spirit-led journeys through desert places.
Our passage this morning records a similar experience in the life of Philip, one of the seven deacons appointed in the early church. There was a great harvest among the Samaritans, and even Peter and John came to join the celebration [ref. Acts 8:14]. But right after an angel of the Lord told Philip, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
Now if you look at a map you will see that that road is pure desert. God took Philip from a wonderful harvest to a desert. How’s that for Divine direction?
Have you ever been asked to leave comfort? Have you ever been led from blessing to wilderness? Well, if so then there’s a good chance that God is leading you. Because God has a way of fulfilling His plans through wilderness experiences.
But here’s the key. The key is knowing that God is faithful to meet us in the desert. It is there that He molds and shapes us into the image of Jesus.
Can God prepare a table in the desert? You bet He can! [ref. Psalm 78:19]. God’s best plan for us oftentimes is through barren places.
“My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” [Psalm 73:26]
As David’s enemies encamped around him, he worshipped. “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’” [Psalm 27:8]
The Lord has His best in the wilderness. And He is faithful to prepare a table for you and I in those barren places.
