Have you ever ventured into the desert, expecting you knew the way, only to find yourself lost and without water? You thought you had a definitive plan, but the path you took led to the other side of the mountain. You never expected to be lost, directionless, and parched. This feeling is unnerving. There are moments in our lives where the path feels obscure and our next steps indefinite. The paths are multiple and travel in different directions. Sister, please tell me you have been there too? Surely God has no idea how I feel. Does He even see me? Am I alone in this desert? Does He hear me crying out to Him?

Scripture provides a poignant promise:

“I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19b NIV

In this passage, the Lord, I AM, makes two distinct promises, a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Consider this:

What is your desert?

Are you searching for a way? Are you praying for streams? How do you identify with this passage?

I want you to cling tightly to this truth: God sees you in your desert. We find this evidenced in Scripture, when the mistreated and despised Hagar retreated to the desert.

“The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert…And He said to Hagar, where have you come from, and where are you going?” Genesis 16:7 NIV

The Lord heard her misery, and He went out looking for her. Overwhelmed, she responded, “You are the God who sees me.” God found Hagar in her desert. Because He saw her. He knew her name, and came to her aid. And He does the same for you and me. He meets us in our desert.

To the girl praying for a way

Often, we are praying for a way out when we should be praying for a way through. It is time we make room for what God is doing by surrendering our own delicate expectations to His superior way. His voice serves as our divine authority, so in our uncertainty, it is time we search out the voice calling in the desert.

“A voice of one calling; In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 NIV

But how do we know if it a way vs. God’s way? First, pursue God’s peace. Find the stillness. God’s peace is the calm amidst a storm. It is an unexplainable, inner tranquility. His peace isn’t logical, transcends all understanding, and allows our wandering souls to rest. When we recognize God’s peace above the noise, we will sense His way above ours. But sometimes that requires being still, quieting the background noise and listening for His voice.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Next, follow God’s guideposts. The Bible is the Word of God, and every word He has spoken, every guidepost of truth is found in His Word. If we want to find a way in the desert, we must seek out Biblical wisdom and truth. In your study, ask yourself, are the paths aligning with Scripture? Can we find confirmation of His way among these guideposts? He gave us a GPS for when we are lost, the Bible. Let’s use it to find the way through our desert.

To the girl praying for streams

Perhaps God promised you rain, but you have yet to see evidence of these streams. Years have gone by with patient expectation, but you now find yourself restless in the wait. This drought seems unending, but you are still clinging to His promise of water, hoping for even a glimpse of its fulfillment. But it hasn’t come. You may wonder has God forgotten me? Am I waiting in vain? Why isn’t it my time? Rest assured dear one, God has not forgotten. But He knows better than to shower you with less than His best. In due time, you will receive rain.

But in the wait, keep moving forward. Wait actively, not passively. Pray for patient endurance. Even though you have yet to receive your rain, He wants to use you in the here and now. He has something for you, even in this between place. You will not wander this desert in vain. He is still working, so steward each small step faithfully.

“So don’t be impatient for the Lord to act, keep moving forward steadily in His ways, and He will exalt you at the right timing. And when He does, you will possess every promise.” Psalm 37:34 TPT

Our faithfulness in the small yeses prepares us to be anointed in His best yes. But remember, rain is seasonal. Not every season has the conditions for rain. The ground needs rest and preparation to receive rain. Scripture makes this clear.

 “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today- to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your heart and soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your new grain, new wine, and oil.” Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NIV

He promised rain it in its season, both autumn and spring rains. It may be that your season is a winter- cold and barren- or a summer- dry and fruitless. In either season, it may feel as if nothing is growing. But sister, don’t forfeit your hope! Below the surface, something truly unexpected is occurring. Be filled with awe and wonder at what God is doing in your drought.

Finding significance in my desert

Spiritual deserts often fill us with hopelessness. Nothing grows in the desert, we gripe. But what if we are missing something remarkable. In Scripture, God lures His daughters into the desert for a greater purpose. The desert is not a prison sentence, it is an opportunity for deeper intimacy.

“Therefore, I am going to allure her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards and make the Valley of Anchor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the days she came up out of Egypt. In that day, declares the Lord you will call me my husband.” Hosea 2:14-15 NIV

We should be honored when God leads us into the desert. He wants us to Himself. He wants to reveal His character to us. Sister, the desert produces beauty.

Therefore, my desert is not my ending, it is my beginning.

- Kierstin Almstrum, ARISE Director of Online Operations and Project Management