AN OASIS IN THE WILDERNESS
This entry was posted on Friday, February 02. 2007 and is filed under Devotions.
AN OASIS IN THE WILDERNESS
A Place of Unexpected Blessing
When we go to Israel one of my favorite places to visit is the beautiful nature reserve of En Gedi. One of the reasons that En Gedi is so breathtaking is its location in the middle of the Judean wilderness. The first thing that captures your attention, as you travel down into the area from Jerusalem, is the stark contrast in the landscape. Jerusalem is surrounded by lush green hills, but almost as soon as you leave the city you find yourself in a desert wilderness where grass doesn't grow all summer.
The Judean wilderness was where Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by Satan for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:1-11).
The Dead Sea is located in that region as well as the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Some Bible scholars also believe that the ancient biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah would have been located in the southeast area of this vast Judean wilderness. It is a desolate, bleak, and parched land. Yet in the midst of this barren place lies the lush, tropical oasis of En Gedi.
En Gedi is probably best known as the place where David hid out in caves from King Saul, who was seeking to destroy him. It was also the location where David was inspired to write many of the Psalms. But most notably, it was in En Gedi that David spared Saul’s life when he had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands and kill him (1 Samuel 24).
It is a beautiful rocky area filled with rich vegetation and narrow trails ascending to the top of a 300-foot waterfall. All along the way, its rugged paths wind around natural pools and little waterfalls. It is a sanctuary for wildlife; a place of solitude, refuge, and peace; and from its heights a boundless expanse of desert stretching into the horizon, is all the eye can see.
En Gedi is an oasis in the wilderness — a place of unexpected blessing and beauty. Spending time in En Gedi helps you understand how David could praise God even in the midst of great personal difficulties. 
It's a place where life and hope abound despite the harsh desert conditions, and in that it provides a great metaphor of what Jesus' life is to us. Just as David's life was hidden in the oasis of En Gedi, so our lives, in this world, are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3). He is our refuge and hope. And in Him, we too find great blessings in unexpected places. The people around us may not understand how we can be at peace and have joy in troubling times, or why we don't take matters into our own hands when opportunity presents itself. But like David we can say, "My soul trusts in [God]; and in the shadow of [His] wings I will make my refuge" (Psalm 57:1).
As we continue to step out into the uncharted territory of this new year, let’s do so ever mindful of the unexpected blessing we have been given in Christ — our oasis in the wilderness.
If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
- John 7:37-38 | |
In Him,
Lloyd Pulley
Senior Pastor
We would love to hear the story of what God has done in your life. If you would like to share your testimony of God’s faithfulness with us, please send it to noreen@ccob.org.
What a pleasure to read this devotional. It was outstanding from the beautiful pictures and your rich descriptions of Israel, to the great spiritual analogies gleaned. This is one of your best and one of my favorites. Quite timely I might add. Thanks for the pleasant reminders!! Blessings,