1 Cor. 1:27 …God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty…
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence…
31 …He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
1) Children of God will be tested by the Lord
It is part of God’s wise providence that His children will pass through the wilderness before they reach the promised land.
Ac. 14:22 – “…we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
One of the reasons for our journey through the wilderness is sometimes to show us what’s in our own hearts.
After God takes us through the wilderness, we begin to see ourselves as we truly are – Rom. 3:10; Ecc. 7:20; Rom. 3:23
Through our trials, we learn – Ps. 46:1
Through our tribulations, we learn – Dt. 33:27
Through our afflictions, we learn – Ps. 34:19
And through our difficulties, we learn – 2 Cor. 12:9
2) Children of God have faith in the Lord
Faith and obedience always go hand-in-hand.
Josh. 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
1 Sam. 15:22 …Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
We can’t be faithful only when things are going right, but we must remain faithful even when it appears that things are going wrong – Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17; Ps. 30:5.
2Co 12:9-10 …My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Read Psalm 119:67, 71, 75.
3) Children of God are sustained by Jesus Christ
When we place our trust in Jesus Christ, He will provide –Ps. 145:20.
Flour is a picture of Jesus Christ and oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit, and both will sustain us during our Christian walk.
Jn. 12:24 …Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Is. 53:5 …he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…
Oil doesn’t mix with other liquids and the Holy Spirit doesn’t mix with the flesh – Gal. 5:16-17.
Oil has a healing nature about it and is used to comfort the body. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter – Jn. 14:16.
Oil was used to cleanse from the plague of leprosy. The Holy Spirit cleanses us from the leprosy of sin – Eze. 36:26-27.
Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Pro 8:34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
When we spiritually feed on Jesus and His Spirit, we realize that nothing happens that God does not allow, that all things work together for good for the child of God, and no matter what we go through, Jesus will carry us through – Ps. 46:1-2; Ps. 91:2; Ps. 33:20; Ex. 15:2; Job 13:15.