Desolate Heights

Numbers 23:3-4 "...So he went to a desolate height. And God met Balaam..."

Honestly, this past week has been incredibly difficult. Overdue bills, my son's continual struggle against autism, parenting challenges with tweeners, and childcare issues during vacation- the list is endless and the circumstances overwhelming. Quickly, my vision of Who God Is became blurry and faded, my faith strained, and I feel as if I'm at a "desolate height". It seems as if I'm in a far off, lonely place, and I wonder where God is, what He is doing, and what I'm supposed to do. Questions, fatigue, and discouragement try to settle into my soul. And the battle is just plain hard. (Been there?)

But God is faithful and gracious, and He always brings His Word to me at just the right time. This morning, as I read in Numbers 23, I was uplifted by the Truth that God meets us in desolate places. And during worship at church today, I heard the Holy Spirit remind me of Who God Is when I am in the desolate place.

Desolate for a spouse? He is my Husband (Isaiah 54:5)
Desolate in finances? He is my Provider (Philippians 4:19)
Desolate in relationships? He is my Friend (John 15:14)
Desolate in sorrow? He is my Comforter (Isaiah 35:10)
Desolate in wisdom? He is my Counselor (John 14:16)
Desolate for a parenting partner? He is my chidren's Instructor (Isaiah 54:13)
Desolate in the past? He is my Rebuilder & Restorer (Isaiah 58:12 & 61:4)

Now I'm considering that maybe the desolate places are not such a bad thing. Perhaps living in or through the desolate places is more about my perspective than the problem. Instead of looking at the situation, I need to look to the Savior. I'm realizing that the purpose of a desolate place is so I can know God in a new way.

I'm absolutely convinced that no matter the desolate place- God Is and He Has a name in response to the desolation. My spirit is renewed as I begin to speak the names of God over my life and over my situations: Faithful, Truth, Way-maker, Just, Everlasting Father, Counselor, Mediator, King of kings, Redeemer, Ancient of Days. The moment I begin to confront the earthly realities in my life with the Ultimate Reality of God- things begin to change. They have to because God doesn't change.

Know today that God desires to meet you in your desolate height. It doesn't matter how you got there, He longs to speak with you, lead you, comfort you, and be Who you need Him to be right now exactly where you are.

Further encouragement:
Numbers 23:19- "God is not man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?"
Psalms 121:2- "My help comes from the Lord, Who made the heaven and earth."
Hebrews 13:5-6- "...For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'"