THROUGH DESERTS by S. L. White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 1, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 13.

"THROUGH DESERTS."

By S. L. White

"And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts; he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out." Isa. 48: 21.

WHY did the Lord lead his people through deserts? Evidently that he might prove them, whether they would willingly and gladly follow his leading, when the natural supplies were cut off, and when from a human standpoint they might perish with hunger and thirst. Moses led his flock to the back side of the desert and came to the mount of God, and there God revealed himself to him in the burning bush, and called him by name, and commissioned him to lead his people out of Egypt, with the assurance, "Certainly, I will be with thee." The outcome of this desert experience is as far-reaching as eternity. God's chosen people passed not only through the wilderness, but through deserts; and his word assures us, "They thirsted not when he led them through deserts; he caused water to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the rock for them and waters gushed out." We find by close observation that God invariably tests those instruments he is about to call into his service. For instance: Abraham was called to leave kindred and home, and go out—not knowing whither he went, and his Isaac must be given up. John the Baptist was in the wilderness until the day of his appearance on the banks of Jordan. Jesus, after his baptism by John, was led of the Spirit into the wilderness, where in fasting and prayer he spent forty days and forty nights, exposed to the devices of the arch-deceiver, previous to his life-work of giving his life a ransom for many. Peter must needs pass through his trance experience, as a preparation to preach Christ to the Gentiles. Philip was sent into the desert of Gaza to bring the Ethiopian to Jesus. Time would fail to note all the leadings of God as preparation for his service, but the most wonderful of all is, that in all these preparatory experiences, "he fed them with manna," "clave the rock for them," "made a way for them in the sea," and "his mountains a way," "and paths in the deserts." He has especial watch-care over his co-workers. When he sent out his disciples without purse, or scrip, or shoes, it looked very much as though perils laid in their path. When they returned, he asked, "Lacked ye anything?" They said, "Nothing." Then we come down to the practical things of life among private Christians. How tenderly and lovingly he removes what would harm us, by removing our idols, calling us to walk in untried paths; by some small event changing the whole course of our lives; opening doors here, shutting doors there; indeed, the resources of the universe are under his control, to be used in helping the saints. How often the missing of a train or boat has saved from disaster. Truly "his counsels are a great deep," and our safety and security for both worlds consists in fully committing every

thing to his sure care and tender love. It is true, "God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform," but it is also true, "All things work together for good to them that love God."

I've placed my feeble hand in his; No power from him can sever, While his strong arm is holding me; No, never, never, never.

—S. L. White, in Michigan Christian Advocate.