Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Living life in the Wilderness

By Lori October 26, 2007 Faith, Life

The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” I Sam 18:10-11 ESV

King Saul was very jealous of David. David’s growing popularity and success was driving Saul mad, literally. This led to David being forced to flee and live in the wilderness like a common criminal. David was out in the wilderness FOR YEARS.

God planned to have David as the next King. But things did not look good from David’s standpoint. How would you feel if you were David and you were banned for years to a certain wilderness? Many of us are sitting in the middle of a very real wilderness. Maybe it is the wilderness of cancer, or the wilderness of infertility, or the wilderness of MS, or the wilderness of financial ruin.

God has a plan for our life, just like he had a plan for David’s life. Time in the wilderness can not thwart what God has planned, and nothing can interfere with God’s timing. Know no matter where we find ourselves we are in the palm of God’s hand. Also the battle is not for us to fight, God will make sure things happen according to HIS PLAN.

So how did David feel while out in the wilderness? These are his words:

Psalms 34 (NIV)
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.


Heavenly Father, no matter what wilderness we find ourselves in may we know that you are in control and you have us in the palm of your hand. Help us not to give up, but to persevere knowing that NOTHING can change the plans you have laid out for us. Take control Lord. Amen!

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4 thoughts on “Living life in the Wilderness”

  2. BernadineBernadine

    Thank you for this timely post Laurel. I’m experiencing my own wilderness experience right now and this post is a great encouragement to me.
    God bless

  4. eph2810

    Amen to that, Laurel. I have found so much comfort in the Psalms lately – especially the ones written by David. Although in the wilderness right now, I can take comfort that the Lord will not forsake me…

    Thank you so much for sharing the passages and your heart, my dear friend.

    Be blessed.