"WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES!"
DEUTERONOMY 8:1-20
INTRO: The moment we are saved God doesn't take us on to heaven, but He
leaves us here, because He has a job for us to do. Jesus prayed for us
to the Father, "Ipraynotthatthoushouldesttakethemout ofthe
world,butthatthoushouldestkeepthemfromtheevil.Theyarenotof
theworld,even asIamnotoftheworld." (John 17:15-16). The
wilderness experience of Israel is typical of the Christian’s sojourn
through this evil world.
I want to title the message, "Wilderness Experiences." The
wilderness experience was designed to produce both obedience and
faith in the nation of Israel. Our experience in this world is for the
same purpose; That we might grow in grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Hebrews 13:13-14 says—“Let us go
forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For
here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come."
In Deuteronomy 8, Moses told the people that they were to be careful
to observe and follow every command from God. There are four
blessings found in vl that are a result of obedience. They are: (1)
Life—“ye may live", (2) Fruitfulness—“multiply", (3) Progress—“go in",
and (4) Possession—“possess the land." These blessings are just as
applicable for us because in Him we live, bear fruit, grow in grace,
and have an eternal home in Heaven!
]
The Israelites were also called to remember the wilderness and how
God had led them. We, as believers, must not forget from where God
has redeemed us. Where we are now by Grace! And where He is
leading us! Our Christian life should be one of obedience unto God!
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS:
(1) A LIFE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF GOD
DEUTERONOMY 8:2a—“And thou shalt remember all the way which the
LORD thy God led thee..."
A. REMEMBER THE PATH. “And thou shalt remember all the way which the
LORD thy God led thee…”. God led the children of Israel with a pillar of
cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The fiery cloud, was to them what
the WORD OF GOD is to us-Spirit & power! Daily as we “walk in the Spirit”
the Spirit of God:
- GUIDES OUR STEPS. Jesus said in John 16:13—“Howbeitwhenhe,theSpiritoftruth,iscome,hewillguideyouintoalltruth:forheshallnotspeakofhimself;butwhatsoeverheshallhear,thatshallhespeak:andhewillshowyouthings to come.”
- GIVES US STRENGTH. Paul prayed for the Christians at Ephesus—“ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16). The Holy Spirit empowers us from within through the Word of God and prayer. (Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament.
1992 by SP Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America Electronic Edition STEP files Copyright © 2003, Quickverse, a division of Findex.com, Inc). - GUARDS OUR SOULS. 1 Peter 1:5tells us that believers—“… are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” What is the power of God mentioned here? Is it not the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer’s life? The word kept here means “to mount a guard as a sentinel.” Friends, the Holy Spirit is our guard and He is our sentinel.
B. REMEMBER THE PERSON. Notice the words—“which the LORD thy God
led thee…”. God leads us where He would have us to go. We should follow
His leading! (John 10:27; Psalm 32:8). Someone has said, "The will of God
will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you." (Albert M.
Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 59). John
Gilmore, a Baptist preacher and Hymn-writer wrote:
"He leadeth me; 0 Blessed thought!
0 words with Heavenly comfort fraught!
Whatever I do, wher'er I be,
still tis God's hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me:
By His own hand He leadeth me.
His faithful follower I would be
for by His hand He leadeth me. "
(Lindsay L. Terry. Devotionals From Famous Hymn Stories. p. 37).
Friends, if we are going to be blessed, joyful, and growing in our faith daily,
we must keep our eyes on Jesus! As Hebrews 12:2says we must be
“Looking to the author and finisher of our faith…”! Someone has said,
“Before us is a future all unknown, a path untrod; Beside us a friend well
loved and known- That friend is God.”
(2) A LIFE OF HUMILITY BEFORE GOD
DEUTERONOMY 8:2b—“... to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know
what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or not"
A. THE TRUTH ABOUT CONDESCENSION. The word condescend means “to
lower oneself.” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary. Volume 1, A-M.
p. 132). This is a principle that is not very popular with this world but it is
a practice which pleases God! God's people need to be a humble people!
Proverbs 16:18-19warns us—“Pride goeth before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall. Better itistobe of a humble spirit with the lowly,
than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Jesus said, "Blessed arethemeek:
fortheyshallinherittheearth." (Matthew 5:5). I want you to look at those
word “to humble thee.” The word humble means “to cause to look down.”
Friends, that is what humility does. It causes us to see ourselves as we
should—dependent on the Lord for everything—not dependent on ourselves.
Charles Spurgeon said, "Humility is the proper estimate of oneself." (Albert
M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 92).
ILLUS: We came out of nothing, and if we are anything, it is becauseGod is
everything. If He were to withhold His power for onebrief instant from
us, if He were to hold in check the breath oflife for one moment, our
physical existence would shrivel intonothingness and our souls would
be whisked away into an endlesseternity. (Billy Graham, The Secret of
Happiness. p. 28).
B. THE TESTING OF CHARACTER. The way that Israel was led through the
wilderness, according to v2 served “to humble thee, and to prove thee, to
know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his
commandments or not.” God said that He led Israel in the wilderness the
way He did to humble them, to prove them, and to know what was in their
heart. Have you ever wondered why God led you in a certain direction?
Could it not be that His desire was to humble you, prove you, and know
what was in your heart? The word prove here is a very interesting word.
It means “to test, try.” Many times God test us so that our true character
will come through. Only as we see ourselves as we truly are, can we rely
on God as we should! Isaiah after seeing his vision of the Lord in Isaiah
6:5—“… Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips,
and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen
the King, the LORD of hosts.” Friends, may all of us being willing to follow
this command—“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift
you up.” (James 4:10).
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE is A LIFE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF GOD, A LIFE OF HUMILITY BEFORE GOD and…
(3) A LIFE SUSTAINED BY GOD
DEUTERONOMY 8:3a,15—"And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to
hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread alone…Who led thee through the that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; Who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint"
A. DEPENDENCE ON HIS PROVISION. Every step of the way the Lord
provided for Israel’s need. God takes care of His own. David said in Psalm
37:25—“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Friends, we may not
always have the best but God will provide for all our needs! (Philippians 4:
19). When the child of God is in the will of God, all of the universe works
for him; but when the child of God is out of the will of God, everything
works against him. This is the providence of God. (Wiersbe’s Expository
Outlines on the New Testament. 1992 by SP Publications, Inc. All rights
reserved. Printed in the United States of America Electronic Edition STEP
files Copyright © 2003, Quickverse, a division of Findex.com, Inc). God
told Israel “[I] fed thee with manna…[I] brought thee forth water out of the
rock.” Friends, we can rely on His provision!
B. DELIGHT IN HIS PERSON. I want you to look at some interesting words
found in v3—“And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed
thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that
He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread alone…”. It says
here—“And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger…that He might
make thee know that man doth not live by bread alone…”. Yes friends, God
wants us to have DEPENDENCE ON HIS PROVISION but also His greatest
desire is the we DELIGHT IN HIS PERSON. Jesus said on Himself in John
6:35, 48-51—“Iamthebreadoflife:he that comethtomeshallnever
hunger;andhe that believethonmeshallneverthirst… Iamthatbreadof
life. Yourfathersdideatmannainthewilderness,andare dead. Thisisthe
breadwhich cometh downfromheaven,thata manmayeatthereof,andnot
die. Iamthelivingbreadwhich came downfromheaven:ifany maneatof
thisbread,heshallliveforever:andthebreadthatIwillgiveismyflesh,
whichIwillgiveforthelifeoftheworld.”Christ is the living bread and gives
to any man freely of living bread. He also gives living water! (John 4:14).
When a person partakes of the bread of life and drinks of the water of life
that person will be satisfied and will DELIGHT IN HIS PERSON! The
psalmist said in Psalm 107:9—“ For he satisfieth the longing soul, and
filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
(4) A LIFE OF DEPENDENCE ON GOD
DEUTERONOMY 8:3b—"...BY EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the
mouth of the LORD doth man live"
A. OUR ATTENTION TO THE WORD. Notice it says here “by every word”.
Why is this so important? Because as Romans 10:17tells us—“ So then
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As we hear the
WORD OF GOD and apply it to our lives our faith grows! (Psalm 119:105).
ILLUS: In spiritual warfare as in physical warfare, the effectiveness of any
weapon is directly proportionate to the efficiency of the one operating
it. For this reason, during a late, great war, the U.S. Army assigned a
new recruit one rifle which he kept throughout his training. It was
called his "piece," and it became a part of him. The recruit handled the
piece continually, disassembling and reassembling it. He cleaned it. He
conducted basic maintenance. He carried it 12 hours a day. When
crossing rivers or streams his head might have gotten wet, but his
piece had to stay dry. Six months later in the heat of battle, the
soldier knew every inch of it-every mechanism. He understood things
that could malfunction and how to remedy them. He could break it
down and reassemble it in just seconds, blindfolded. Man and weapon
had become a synchronized and deadly, efficient fighting machine.
The spiritual warrior's proficiency with his basic weapons should be no
less remarkable. But quite sadly, if believers had to rely on their own
Bible familiarity in life and death situations, the majority would
helplessly perish. (Bible Illustrator For Windows. Version 3.0f.
Copyright 1990-1998. Parsons Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved).
B. OUR ATTITUDE TO THE WORD. Friend, let me ask you tonight what is
your attitude toward the Word of God? Do you love your Bible? We read
in Jeremiah 15:16—“ Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy
word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy
name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah's Joy was in the WORD OF GOD as
ours should be! 1 Peter 2:2tells us—“As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” We are told to “desire
the sincere milk of the word”. The word desire here is translated from a
Greek word that means “to intensely crave, to yearn, to greatly desire, to
long after.” It means to be as Jesus described in The Beatitudes—
“Blessedarethey which do hungerandthirstafterrighteousness:forthey
shallbefilled.” The purpose of this hungering and thirsting is that we may
grow more Christ-like each day. As we grow as Christians we can learn
more of the deep things of God! Sadly though many Christian are still on
the milk when they should be on the meat. The writer of Hebrews
addressed this problem in Hebrews 5:13-14—“For every one that useth
milk is unskillfull in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong
meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use
have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” I want you to
note those words in v14 speaking of those who are on the meat of the
Word—“..who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both
good and evil.” Friend, let me once again ask you what is your attitude
toward the Word? I am going to ask you to decide which best describes
your choices tonight:
- Studying the Word of God? or Watching a program on TV?
- Studying the Word of God? or Spending time on your computer?
- Studying the Word of God? or Spending time on the phone?
- Studying the Word of God? or Reading your favorite novel?
Friends, our actions reveal our attitudes! None of those things I
mentioned are wrong in themselves. But they become wrong if they take
the place of us spending time alone with God in His word!
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE is A LIFE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF GOD, A LIFE OF HUMILITY BEFORE GOD, A LIFE SUSTAINED BY GOD, A LIFE OF DEPENDENCE ON GOD and…
(5) A LIFE OF HOPE IN GOD
DEUTERONOMY 8:7-9—“For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good
land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.”
A. HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. In vv. 7-9, there is a description of the
good land that lay before the Israelites. They were to forget the things that
were behind and press on to the things which are before! (Philippians
3:12-14). Friends, we have something waiting for us beyond this life that
outlives, outshines, and outlasts anything that this life can offer us! Our
advancement is Heaven which we look for with HOPE! (Philippians 3:20-
21). Daily we are to be “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13). God
told the Israelites about the Promised Land and they were not disappointed
by it when they got there. Friends, God has told us about Heaven and all
beauty, majesty, and glory of it and we will not be disappointed when we
get there! (1 Corinthians 2:9).
B. HOPE DEEPENS OUR DEPENDENCE. Without hope we see no reason to
persevere. We see no reason to go. But the Christian according to 1 Peter
1:3 has a “lively hope.” It is a hope that lives. "Other men see only a
hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in an endless hope."--Gilbert M.
Beeken (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical.
p. 91). This hope is founded on the FAITHFULNESS OF GOD AND HIS
SON. The hymn writer Edward Mote put it this way:
"My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand."
(Edward Mote. The Solid Rock. All-AmericanChurch Hymnal. p. 71).
(6) A LIFE OF PRAISE TO GOD
DEUTERONOMY 8:10—“When…thou art full, then shalt thou bless the
LORD thy God..."
A. PRAISE DISPLAYS OUR COMMITMENT. Friend, if you tell me that you do
not have anything to praise God for I question your commitment to Him.
Someone has said, “The unmistakable mark of a living faith is a readiness
to praise.” Look at those words—“When…thou art full…”. The Lord would
have us praise Him with a FULL heart! (Hebrews 13:15). Friends, because
of what the Lord has done and continues to do for us we should have a
heart FULL OF HIS PRAISE! The Lord’s love and care for us should be an
occasion for praise! The psalmist wrote in Psalm 103:1-5—“Bless the
LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the