Peace in the Wilderness - The Crosswalk Devotional - May 20 

Peace in the Wilderness
By: Laura Bailey

Bible Reading:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you,  and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26

A dear friend recently discovered that she had an autoimmune disease and soon would need to have a liver transplant. We struggled to hold back tears as she shared the news with our friends over coffee and croissants.

We were a group of firm believers, prayer warriors, and seasoned saints. We wholeheartedly trusted that God was faithful and in control of the situation, but we couldn’t help but ask, “Why, Lord?” Why choose this young mother who is active in her church and community to endure this painful experience? She is a woman of tremendous faith, a loyal friend, and a faithful servant. We knew that God had a plan and would ultimately use this situation for His glory, but we felt the weight of sadness and uncertainty.

As our friend’s health declined and it became abundantly clear she would not be able to live without a liver transplant, we began to pray that God would deliver a miracle. Walking alongside my friend in the past six months, I have seen God work in ways I have never experienced. I struggle with my faith. I want to see God clearly at work. Watching all the ways the Lord stepped in and provided, answered prayers–maybe not as expected, but still answered nonetheless– and gave my friend a sense of peace and calm amid chaos, strengthened my often shaky faith.

The week before her surgery, we gathered together; I was asked to give a devotion before our prayer time. I prayed and asked God to guide me toward a piece of Scripture that expressed what I knew I would struggle to communicate. A few days passed, and I was still unsure of the verse I would speak on, but riding around in my car,  the song “The Blessing” played through the speakers. The song comes from  Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you,  and give you peace.” I knew immediately this was what I should share.

God tells Moses to give this blessing to his brother, Aaron, Israel’s high priest. Aaron, in return, was to share the blessing with the Israelites. The lines in this poem remind us that God’s provision extends to our physical and spiritual needs. The heart of this blessing reminds us that God’s presence was with the Israelites and with us today. The Lord pursues His people; He desires to bless them and pour out his grace and mercy.

The word peace comes from the Hebrew word Shalom, which means an overall sense of joy and contentment. The last line reminds us that as God's Children, we represent Him in the world, and we can find comfort in knowing that we belong to Him; nothing can separate us from His love. This blessing serves as a covenant reminder that God is faithful and can be trusted in everything. Remember, the Israelites were enslaved for over 400 years in Egypt and were currently wandering around in the wilderness. I am sure they asked God on more than one occasion, “Why?” But, just like the Israelites, God is still with us, giving us His grace and peace even in our darkest moments.

We don’t know yet how my friend’s story will end; we are still crying out to God for complete healing as she recovers over the next few weeks. But what we do know is that God never left her. He has been with her through the diagnosis, surgery, and recovery process, and He will be with her till the end.

Intersecting Faith and Life:

Are you currently experiencing a difficult season that has you tempted to ask God, “Why?” How does knowing God's desire to give His children grace and peace comfort you?

For Further Reading:
Leviticus 9:22-24
5 Truths about God’s Blessing Over You

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Givaga

Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages others to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Laura holds a certificate in Biblical Women's Studies from SEBTS and serves as a workplace chaplain and the director of women’s ministries at her church. She is the author of multiple books and Bible studies; her most recent one on Habakkuk explores Habakkuk’s message of hope Amid Uncertainty. She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and 3 daughters.  She attends Macedonia Baptist Church, where she is the director of Women’s Ministry and teaches Bible studies weekly.  Learn more about her ministry and her books: www.LauraRBailey.com connect on Facebook and Instagram. 

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