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Woodstock Mountain Bike Fellowship

Finding God in the Desert

June 3rd, 2008

Tonight's study is a bit different than others we've done so far. We just returned from a trip to Arizona, where we had the opportunity to hike in the Sonoran desert, visit ruins of ancient cultures, and explore the Grand Canyon. It is an amazing land of stark contrasts and spectacular vistas. And like anyplace else you might visit, if you look carefully, you'll see the fingerprints of God everywhere.

We'll start by looking through some photos. As we do, I want you to take some time to decide where you see the impact of the forces of undirected nature, and where you see the evidence of intentional design. Assign each picture a probability, where 100% represents an absolute certainty that an intelligent agent is responsible for what you see.

It's interesting to note that, even with just a few pieces of rock or wood, we can arrive at a very high certainty that an intentional designer has been at work. As you look at the Saguaro cactus, notice the following:

  • The fluted design allows it to absorb >6 months supply of water without bursting
  • The internal structure is equipped with radial water pipes to rapidly absorb and transfer moisture when available
  • It is protected from attack by an impressive set of thorns and skins over the holes where nesting birds live to avoid loss of moisture.
  • It has a flower system for reproduction based on the exact design contained in the DNA of each tiny seed
  • It can grow to over 7 tons and can live for up to 200 years

It doesn't take a genius to recognize the hand of an intentional, intelligent designer when you look at this impressive plant. But unfortunately, people choose to ignore the creator, even when the probability of His action is virtually certain. And when make the decision to ignore their Creator, they close down the opportunity to hear what He is saying to their spirits:

Romans 1:20-22

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.

When Jesus was interacting with Nicodemus, He made it clear that ignorance to the physical realm can lead to spiritual blindness:

John 3:12

If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

As we hiked into the desert last week, I was immediately impressed with the variety of thorny things all over the place. In fact, it was a really good idea to pay attention to where you were walking to avoid some serious pain. And this pain reminded me of the very first curse, a curse that emerged from man's choice to ignore God and go his own way:

Genesis 3:17-19

Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return."

Regardless of the stark beauty of the desert, the Scripture constantly reminds us that it is filled with the images of the curse. As you examine the scripture, you will find that reference to thorns, thirst, and desert often speak to times of testing and rejection:

Hebrews 6:7,8

For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

Luke 6:44,45

For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

The cursed thorns are also used to illustrate the traps that can catch us when we aren't keeping our eyes on God:

Matthew 13:22

And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Regardless of our spiritual history, each of us will occasionally go through times when we feel spiritually dry and experience the thorns of difficulty. At those times, we need to remember that we are not on this earth to be comfortable - we are here to get to know God better. These kinds of thorns can attach themselves to anyone:

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Paul responded correctly to his thorn, arriving at a point of acceptance for his struggle (whatever it was), and recognizing that God brought it into his life for a greater purpose. But unfortunately, many times people fail to appreciate God's gracious provision of refreshment in the desert, leading to hardened hearts and distance from God:

Nehemiah 9:15,16

You provided bread from heaven for them for their hunger, you brought forth water from a rock for them for their thirst, and You told them to enter in order to possess the land which You swore to give them. "But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; they became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments."

So, what is the best response to times of dryness? Thanksgiving, even when we have to cry out by God's grace:

Psalm 107:1-6
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary
They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region;
They did not find a way to an inhabited city.
They were hungry and thirsty;
Their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble;
He delivered them out of their distresses.

When we are in the midst of affliction and seeking God's deliverance, remember why you have been created - to know and glorify God and to show forth that glory to those around you (who are watching):

Isaiah 41
"The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none,
And their tongue is parched with thirst;
I, the LORD, will answer them Myself,
As the God of Israel I will not forsake them.
"I will open rivers on the bare heights
And springs in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water
And the dry land fountains of water.
That they may see and recognize,
And consider and gain insight as well,
That the hand of the LORD has done this,
And the Holy One of Israel has created it.

But the desert isn't always bad. In fact, remember where Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would first appear. It was a place where people can realize their barrenness and ultimate need for salvation:

Isaiah 40
A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

Mark 1:4-8

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the laces of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Never miss this point: we often find God in the desert places of life. When we are confused and thirsty, there is no better time to cry out for help:

Acts 8:26-39

But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.

Of course, it is not accidental that God chose to symbolize the curse of sin with thorns in the opening chapters of the Bible. His grand plan was underway before the foundation of the world, and it finds its fulfillment on the brow of our Savior as he stands in our place, receiving our judgment:

Mark 15:16-19

The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called* together the whole Roman cohort. They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and they began to acclaim Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him.

And during a time of thirsty anguish, sometimes we can't find physical refreshment anywhere but in God's Word, knowing that His every promise will be fulfilled:

Psalm 69:19-21

You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

John 19:28-30

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

And because Jesus drank of our cup, we can share in His:

John 4:13,14

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

So, seek God in your times of dryness, when the pains of the thorns are imbedded in your skin and irritation seems inconsolable. Worship Him even when it doesn't feel good. At the end of the desert, we will find God very faithful:

Psalm 42:1,2,11

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God? Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

Revelation 7:15-17

For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.

But beware of waiting too long to turn your thirst toward God. While you may find a spring in the desert now, a time will come when people will seek refreshment and remain thirsty. It's a dangerous thing to ignore your thirst:

Amos 8:11,12

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the LORD. "People will stagger from sea to sea and from the north even to the east; they will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.

Waiting their turn Bike Limbo! Derailleur clinic