Found in the Desert Place

Totally humbled to lead worship in an army barracks tonight. Some of the young men were leaving in less than 2 days to do their first overseas tours, getting thrown into their first ever experience of war. I can't begin to imagine how terrifying that must be. The fear was palpable. I need to remember them in prayer.

Why is it that whenever I visit a different social environment the wisdom of God, the songs that we sing and the words we read in scripture seem so much more imminently real? It's beginning to frustrate me.

In India I'm amazed at the transformation from life to death, from moribund idols to the true and living God, to looking after orphans and widows - faith with fruit.

Tonight some of the lines we sung took upon an entirely new meaning for me. Feeling slightly frustrated that I don't live in a place where there is more at stake than where your earnings fall between £10,000 or £60,000 . Maybe that's a bit unfair and I'm just not involved in the right things, I'm chuffed my church is trying to provide a family for these soldiers, and I want to be a support too where I can. Western consumerism has just become so effective at convincing itself it has no need to worry about life, death and the things of God. There needs to be an urgency about my faith that refuses to recline into the comfortability of the likelihood that I will live until I'm 80 and nothing really matters that much. With all the naivety in the world, the more real these words are to me, the more likely it is that I am fully relying on my God for everything I have, a position I want and need to be in.

"Blessed be your name when I'm found in the desert place, when I walk through the wilderness, Blessed be your name"

"And though I walk the darkest path, I will not fear the evil one, for YOU are with me and your rod and staff are the comfort I need to know"

"Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace has brought me safe this far, And grace will lead me home"

"Blessed be your name, On the road marked with suffering, though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be your name"

Wise

For the Lord gives wisdom

and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding

He holds victory in store for the upright

He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.

For he guards the course of the just

and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Proverbs 2: 6-8

I love the simplicity of the wisdom on offer here. We all face difficult situations where it's a struggle between desire (not necessarily sinful) and 'doing the right thing' in terms of honouring God in my thoughts and my actions, even when nobody would ever find me out.

What does Godly wisdom say?

I need to be upright

I need to be blameless

I need to act justly

I need to be one of His faithful ones

then He will let me share in his Victory

He will protect me, the unshakable shield.

No brainer? Bring on the hard stuff.

New song

With your whole life you chose to show

Your Spirit in us can change the world

Loving and gracious You still are

You light up the way, and limping behind, we follow on.

Chorus:

Oh take this heart of stone away

In me no longer let it stay

The mind that was in Christ impart

Give me a new a perfect heart

Verse 2:

Gave no defence when you were accused

As you overcame our sin for us

Though you were tempted You refused

To give up on those, who nailed up your hands and took your life

Bridge:

Jesus what a mystery

That as your life takes root in me

I’m sharing in Your victory