WTFMT 47 (FROM HGM ON 24 OCT 17)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-47 TEXT: "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." (Isaiah 43:7)

 

I. THE WORKSHOP

 

A. The wilderness is God's workshop. He has designed it for us. He brings us to it. We are His workmanship. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) The workman (God) works on and in the piece of work He has created formed and made, in His workshop, where ever He wants it to be.

B. We are brought there to see His glory, to relate to it, to learn from it, and above all, to be conformed to His image. We would prefer God to work on us in His workshop of green grass and still water. Although these have their places in our Christian experience, certain changes in us are not accomplished in these lovely and pleasant places.

C. We do not seem to linger long in the pleasant places. So when there, breath in the enjoy and strength, fore soon He will move us on to yet another place of growth and development.

D. The children of Israel followed the cloud to green grass. The name of the place we "Hazeroth." The stem of this Hebrew word "Hazeroth" (2698) means "green," "grass," "leeks," "enclosures, " and others. "And the people journeyed from Kibrothhattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth." (Numbers 11:35)

E. To those camping there this would have been most pleasing. WE don't like to camp in the desert or in the wilderness, but rather in an oasis where there is a carpet of green grass and a fish-filled stream. How long do we camp in the green grass besides the still waters? Not very long! We must follow the cloud. "And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran." (Numbers 12:16)

F. The cloud did not tarry long over the green grass, but moved to the Wilderness of Paran. The lush grass must be left behind. Leaving green grass and entering a wilderness like Paran is most discouraging.

G. Everything seemed to be to Israel's advantages in pleasant Hazeroth. However, not everything was fine and correct in the hearts of the people. This is where the murmuring against Moses was so strong that Miriam became leprous because of it.

H. Wildernesses, not utopias, are the workshops of God. In a utopia God cannot work into His people the dedication needed to fulfill His purposes. Adam and Eve more than anyone else, except the angels in Heaven who fell, prove this truth. They did not respond correctly in their paradise.

I. The green grass of Hazeroth is desired by all, but does not fully and totally meet man's spiritual needs. The leadership directly under Moses failed in the green grass. "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; [Aaron and Miriam] and he departed." (Numbers 12:9)

J. The workshops of God are not in places of pleasantries where everything always goes well. The potter's wheel is not always an abundance of money. The anvil of God is not necessarily a state of unfailing good health.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

 

A. What kind of Christians would emerge from a utopia where there is never a threat, never the valley of the shadow of death? Where there is no battle, there can be no victory. If there is no victory, there is no overcomer. We can't live in a utopia as long as the angles who fell did and not be any better for it.

B. Aaron and Miriam loved the green grass of Hazeroth as much as anyone. It did not cause them to respond to God properly. His glory and His beauty [Paran] were not manifested through them there.

C. Green grass fades and the flower withers, but whoever does the will of God abides forever! Our physical well-being, all the things of this present life with which God could possibly bless us, these material blessing, ALL fade away. If we wait long enough, we will see the car God gave us be placed in the junkyard. He gives us another if we are doing His will.

D. Everything passes away. Back and forth, back and forth the fashions of this world are always passing away. Nothing is permanent; nothing here is established. Except for! "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (I John 2:17)

E. We must release all things that shall pass away, and follow the Master. We must not cling to the things of this life. Jesus said these things do not hold the essence of life. " . . . . for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12:15) Life does not consist of these things of this present world, although most people suppose it does. God in opposition to this philosophy is always attempting to draw us away from that which is temporal toward which is eternal.