A Journey through the Desert - Crosswalk the Devotional - March 11

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( A Journey Through the Desert by Sarah Phillips Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry.[Matthew 4:1-2]( Sometimes it's not what’s in our lives troubling us most. It's what we must do without. It's the gaping hole that won't be filled. Feeling a sense of lack, of deprivation, is often referred to as a “desert experience.” Desert experiences can take on many forms – spiritual, relational, and physical. When we hit a period of dryness in a particular area of our lives, we instinctively think something must be wrong with us. “Perhaps if I pray more and become holier, I’ll feel God’s presence again.” Or “If I acquire more financial skills, I’ll finally be able to afford what I want.” Or “If I become more loveable, I’ll finally find someone to marry.” So we strive, trying to fill in the gaps in hopes we can earn the blessing. In our striving, we may be missing out on an opportunity to grow in our faith. Sometimes, a desert experience is necessary in order to bear greater fruit later on. Some of the greatest Saints embraced desert experiences as spiritually profitable. Elisabeth Leseur, a French upper-class housewife in the early 20th century, spent much time in relational and spiritual deserts throughout her marriage to her husband, a professed atheist. In her diary, later published as The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, she recorded times of "complete resignation, but without joy or any inner consolation." Later, when reflecting on her faith, she writes, "And yet through all these trials and in spite of the lack of interior joy, there is in my soul some central place, which all these waves of sorrow cannot reach." Elisabeth’s perseverance in seeking Christ in the desert later inspired the conversion of her husband. In the [Bible]( periods of physical deprivation often preceded key moments in salvation history. Moses wrote the Ten Commandments during a 40-day fast ([Exodus 34:28](. And it was after a lengthy fast that Elijah heard God’s still, small voice ([1 Kings 19:8](. We see in the passage above that Christ literally ventured into the desert for his own 40-day fast in preparation for what was to come – our salvation through His sacrificial death. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( You May Also Like: [10 Easter Hymns to Fill You with Hope and Joy]( Lynette Kittle The Easter season is when we reflect on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The cross symbolizes God’s great love for us. Below are 10 Easter Hymns to fill us with hope and joy. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [Do Dogs Go to Heaven?]( Shelby Turner Many of us have felt the heartache that comes from losing a family pet. And to soothe the pain, we may begin to wonder where are they now? Will we ever see them again? Do dogs go to heaven? The Bible doesn’t give an outright answer on this question, but we as we dig into Scripture, we can piece together a conclusion on this tender topic. Let’s set the stage well for this discussion by looking at what heaven is and who will find their way to it. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2020 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](