Desert Places

Devotions By Jason Hale

TOPIC: Desert Places

FOUNDATION SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:80 (ASV) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Desert Places Places are for growing until the day of your showing.

Whenever God gets ready to use us or do something big in our lives, we will often find ourselves in a season of profound discomfort, also known as a Desert Place.

Desert Places are usually seasons of mental uneasiness that derive from isolation, shrunken resources, a series of disappointments, and plans that don't seem to come together as they should. ...and there is nothing you can do about it. You can't find a way out even if you went digging for it with both hands.

Yet, you know that God hasn't abandoned you because every time you feel ready to give up, He will send a word to encourage you, or show you a vision or dream of something greater to give you hope. He will provide for you, just enough to get you by; not more than enough... not just yet.

This is the place where we find ourselves praying and fasting like we never have before. Pursuing God becomes common place as the thought patterns of the flesh seems like they are being stripped away with no sedative to ease the pain.

This is the time to establish our prayer altar and feed on the Word of God that we may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2).The Lord is maturing us and teaching us to trust Him.

God is very intentional. He loves us completely and only wants the best for us. He will never yell, but we must learn to obey Him when He whispers.

...and He is doing all of this so we don't crash and burn what He gives us next.

When will this season end? It depends on how quickly we learn, how quickly we grow, and how long it takes to mature.

Luke 1:80 (ASV) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

John the Baptist was in Desert Places, growing strong in spirit and maturing in godly Character, until the day of His showing to Israel. When he came out of the desert, God showed him off and used him greatly.

Let this encourage us; that we no longer pray to be delivered from Desert Places, but rather that God will help us grow and mature to the point that we are too valuable to remain there. Then, after His Will is accomplished, He will bring us out, show us off and use us mightily.

Remember this: God is maturing you and teaching you to trust Him.

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Quiet your mind and wait on God for at least 5 minutes, then immediately write down your thoughts afterward.
2. Go through today’s message again.
3. Make up your mind to trust God completely (Psalms 16:1, Proverbs 30:5), never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and feed on the Word everyday so you may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2).

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Your Word to me today. I ask for the grace to trust You completely during this season in my life, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

QUOTE: "Desert Places Places are for growing until the day of your showing." - JASON HALE.

DAILY BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 6-7, Psalms 72, 2 Corinthians 9

PROPHETIC WORD/DECLARATION: By the grace of God, this season is equipping you to dominate in the next season. Receive it, in Jesus' Name.

Today’s devotional was written by Jason Hale of Jason Hale Ministries.

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