Desert Road

Image by Bob Bello from Pixabay

Befuddled and bewildered. 

She’s dazed and confused 

The heat is getting to her 

And the meals are becoming few.

She reaches for a drink

But there isn’t left a drop

She sinks into the sand 

And knows what she’s forgot.

She’s forgotten when the sun was kind  

She’s forgotten the taste of pouring rain 

She’s forgotten the fields clothed in beauty

She’s forgotten the plans the Lord has made. 

She’s forgotten the joy that lays before her

She’s forgotten the future isn’t her fight

She’s forgotten the hope that brightens her soul

She’s forgotten the stars that sparkle at night. 

And she longs for that still small voice to say:

I’m here with you always

I know you’re weak, but I am strong 

I’m merciful and gracious, long-suffering

and full of truth 

I’ll lead you through, I’ll be your song 

I’ll guide you safe and make a way

Can’t you perceive it? My child, made to praise. 

April 29, 2023 

Tina 

A Road in The Desert 

This is what God says,

 the God who builds a road right through the ocean,

who carves a path through pounding waves,

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—

they lie down and then can’t get up;

they’re snuffed out like so many candles:

“Forget about what’s happened;

don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.

It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,

 rivers in the badlands.

Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’

—the coyotes and the buzzards—

Because I provided water in the desert,

rivers through the sunbaked earth,

Drinking water for the people I chose,

the people I made especially for myself,

a people custom-made to praise me.

Isaiah 43:16-21 (The Message)

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Jesus is able to see us through our desert because He made it through His own.

He was tempted in every way, but he never sinned. He is strong and able. He will not lose even one who the Father has given to Him.

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Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,

and they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. 

–Matthew 4:1-11