God can make a way where there seems no way. He made a way through the Red Sea to bring His people to safety (Exodus 14). And He can even make a way through the desert.
‘Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.’ Isaiah 43:18–19 NASB
These words by the prophet are encouraging and inspiring. God has always sought to comfort His people and give them hope in difficult situations and during hard times. Prophetic words inspire hope for the future and seek to show a way forward when things seem stuck or impossible. We must, by all means, find a way into the future and not be bound by the ‘things of the past.’ It’s important to learn from the past, especially from mistakes, yet to be stuck there in thoughts and emotions can have a paralysing effect. It can hinder us from moving into the future God has prepared for us.
We have read how God made a way through the Red Sea to move His people forward on their journey to the Promised Land (Exodus 14). God didn’t bring them out of the ‘house of bondage’ to let them die in the wilderness. He made a way through the waters and a way in the desert. Isaiah referred to this event (Isaiah 43:16–17) before inspiring hope with the promise of making a way even in the desert (vv 18–19). He is the God ‘who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters’ (v 16) for His people, and who dealt with their oppressors (v 17). The very waters that threatened to drown God’s people, became the waters that God used to deal with their enemies. No matter what obstacle might be in the way, God has a solution. The evil people plan against you can be used by God for your good (Genesis 50:20). Paul reassures us that God causes all things to work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
God is with you ‘when you pass through the waters’ or ‘through the rivers,’ and even ‘when you walk through the fire’—the rivers will not drown you, the fire won’t scorch you (Isaiah 43:2). God reassured His people of His love and that He is with them (vv 3-4). There were times in Israel’s history when other nations trampled on them by oppression or occupation, and indeed they ‘went through the fire and through water,’ yet God being faithful and powerful, ‘brought [them] out to rich fulfilment’ or ‘a place of abundance’ (Psalm 66:12). Life has its many challenges, but God is always faithful. The psalmist would celebrate ‘the works of God’ who does ‘awesome’ things among men (v 5). Whatever we might go through, we must find our way into the future God has prepared for us. We can’t allow circumstances to ‘drown’ us. There is a way! Jesus didn’t let Peter drown while he was trying to master the storms of life (Matthew 14:22–33), and He won’t let you drown either. Keep your head above the water.
Impossible Solutions
The desert is not the place to have a ‘roadway’ or ‘rivers’ (Isaiah 43:19); roads would sink in the sand, water just disappears. Have you ever pour water on sand? You know what happens. This speaks of unfavourable circumstances, yet nothing is impossible for God. Modern-day technology made it possible for engineers to make transport networks even through these kinds of desert places, yet this was impossible in the times of the biblical prophets. God spoke hope and comfort to His people through such imagery: God can make the impossible possible. We should trust Him. In the desert, roads would simply sink into the desert sand, and rivers would just vanish in its sand and evaporate in its heat. Yet God can still make a ‘road’—a way forward—through such circumstances and give ‘rivers’—life-giving resources—in such conditions. Rivers speak of life-giving water in scorched places. God can make it happen. Whatever things might seem impossible, you must find a way into your future. Sometimes we are closer than we think but give up too early. Determination to go ‘all the way’ is crucial. To stay faithful to God’s ways is vital in difficult times. Keep on doing the right thing and things will get right. God provides impossible solutions.
Endurance to Become Better
Endurance in difficult circumstances and hard times is important. Only a faith tested by trials will find the maturity and completeness endurance can achieve in us (James 1:2–4). We all have need of endurance and becoming stronger in trying times, yet we must not cast away our confidence because it has a great reward (Hebrews 10:35–36). Handling the challenges of life well makes us better people with life experience and wisdom that can serve others. There are things you can’t learn apart from difficulties and trials. Learn, grow and move into God’s future for you.
Whatever you are facing, become better, not bitter. Enduring hard times and doing the will of God—that which is right before Him—has great reward of the promise of God: He will come through for us (Hebrews 10:36–37). We must continue to live by faith (v 38) and not shrink back (v 39). Faith and endurance will make us inherit the promised future (Hebrews 6:12). Don’t allow the circumstances to stop you. Find a way into your future. Stay focused, work hard, and be faithful to God. As the song goes, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ It’s true: life won’t necessarily become easier, but you can become wiser and stronger. That’s a key strategy to reach your future. Don’t blame others or make excused based on your circumstances. Use whatever is on your path to find your way into the future. And never give up.
A True Friend showing the Way into the Future
A young David faced insurmountable obstacles when he was first anointed by the prophet to become the next king. He suffered injustice, false accusations, painful rejection and seeming hopelessness. He often lived in desert places, yet God made a way for him to become king, although everything spoke against it. Anointing a new king while the old one was still on the throne seemed inappropriate, unorthodox indeed. But God in His foresight knew what was needed. He forged David in the fires of persecution and made him strong and wise in the trials of life. And there was the one person who would encourage him—his ‘brother’ Jonathan. Not is biological brother, but his true friend (1 Samuel 18:1–4). Such friends are born for times of adversity (see Proverbs 17:17; 18:24). True, sometimes those we considered friends abandon us or let us down, or even betray us. But there is always that one faithful person God sends your way. Forgive those who fail you; value those who prove to be true friends.
When everything seemed lost and hopeless, Jonathan spoke words of encouragement and inspiration to David: he reminded him of God’s plan for his life (1 Samuel 23:15–18) which showed him the way into the future God had prepared for him. Such key moments by true friends are life-transforming—they are ‘roadways in the desert,’ brining us into God’s future for us. Never underestimate the power of the right words spoken at the right time. Be a ‘Jonathan’ to a ‘David’ going ‘through the waters’ and ‘the fire.’ Such friends can inspire hope in desperate situations. Be a true friend. It is a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert!
Find Your Way into God’s Future
Whatever you might be facing, seek God to show you the way into the future He has prepared for you. Listen to the right people who inspire you in the direction God wants you to go. Lay hold of God’s word and keep doing what is right. Your endurance will make you stronger and has a great reward—inheriting the future God has prepared for you.
Find your way into God’s future!
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