And they did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He caused the water to flow from the rock for them, He also split the rock, and the water gushed out. Isaiah 48:21
The word "desert'' usually suggests uninhabited, empty, unoccupied, vacant, and abandoned. It also connote rejection, dejection, neglect, devastation and so on particularly when it refers to a person, a
group of people, or a place. To men, deserts are regarded as useless and valueless but to God they are His great treasure. Here is a picture of the Israelites (the redeemed children of God), a portrayal of New Testament believers and divine providence for their journey (Isaiah 48:21). Even though they are called desert, but very often God comforts His beloved children who trust and repose their confidence in Him. In Isaiah 51:3, the bible says, "For the LORD will comfort Zion. He will comfort her waste places: He will make her wilderness like Eden. And her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in it. Thanksgiving and the voice of melody."
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Hannah prayed and talked of the greatness, goodness and awesomeness of the Almighty God who vindicated her and wonderfully intervened in her seemingly hopeless situation. She had suffered shame, ridicule, reproach and humiliation, but the merciful God remembered her soon afterward and she exuberantly declared in 1 Samuel chapter 2 verses 6-9, "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich: He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust. And lift the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among the princes. And make them inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S and He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints. But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. For by strength shall no man prevail."
Job, a blameless, just, upright and God fearing man attested to by both God and Satan was also in a hopeless situation and he was deserted. He was helpless, lonely, defenseless, having suffered a great loss, he longed for comfort and encouragement, instead he was misunderstood and accused by his friends, even his wife advised him to curse God and die. It seemed as if God had forsaken him. He was a representation (picture) of our Lord and Savior Jesus while on the cross. Job was miserable and not comforted but he later consoled himself and said, "If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait till my change comes" (Job 14:14). When he considered the bliss and prosperity of the wicked, he became perplexed and put forth an argument and said, "Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power. Their descendants are established before them in their eyes and their offspring before their eyes. Their descendants are established before them in their eyes and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them" (Job 21:7-9). Later, he realized that the judgment of God is looming on them and then was he comforted knowing assuredly that there is hope for him. For the bible says, "The hope of the righteous will be gladness but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The righteous shall not be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth" (Proverbs 10:28 &30). God 's promises are sure and certain, "But He saves the needy from the sword. From the mouth of the mighty and from their hand. So the poor have hope and injustice shuts her mouth" (Job 5:15). Also, the bible says in Proverbs 10:3, "The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But he cast away the desires of the wicked."
Jesus Christ, our perfect example was not exempted. All the disciples deserted him immediately he was taken by the soldiers but followed him afar off. He was alone, even Peter, the supposedly dearest of all who proved to be most loyal, deserted him. This was the same Peter who once boasted that if it comes to death that he will go with him, "Peter said to him. "Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you! And so said all the disciples" (Matthew 26:35). It's very interesting to note that a small girl made him quake and he lied. Quite unbelievable though a very funny scene to behold. Brother Peter feared and continuously denied his Lord and master! Not only did he forsake him when he needed him most but he sworn with an oath never to have been with him or known him.
Jesus was forsaken by all, men, angels even God will not answer him. Prophet Isaiah spoke of him in chapter 53 verse 3, "He is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." He was alone in the court with Pilate who questioned him. Alone in praetorium beaten by the soldiers, scourged, bruised, naked, and wounded. No wonder prophet Isaiah also remarked in Isaiah 52:14, "Just as many were astonished at you. So His visage was marred more than any man. And his form more than the sons of men." On the cross when He was about to breathe his last, He cried to the father but no response, "And at the night hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). Then came a new dawn, the resurrection morning! Jesus, once abandoned now the glorified King. He resurrected with glory and power and thus bringing many sons to glory! So also, God restored Job and gave him double of all he had (Job 42:12). The end of Job was glorious!
So, anything can happen at any time, anyone can deny or forsake you but God remains the hope for the hopeless and deserted. He is the only one who truly stays and stands closer in the hours of dire need. He undertakes and defends the helpless, hopeless and abandoned. God can still be trusted! Besides, God is faithful and He promised deliverance to His children. As He provided, fought and defended the children of Israel, so will He do for you. However, He is only committed to His own (Christians). Are you His own? Do you belong to God? If your answer is yes, then you can be rest assured that all is well and there is hope for you. David affirmed this in Psalm 12 verse 5, "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him." For the oppression of the poor, He will certainly arise and deliver the righteous who are in seemingly hopeless situation. However, God is the righteous judge who will not take side with the evil doer, He will justly repay the wicked. God's criteria is different from ours. To the wicked the bible says in Job 11:12,"But the eyes of the wicked will fail. And they shall not escape, And their hope-loss of life."
