Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

There are times in each of our lives where the only one that can rescue us or help us is the Lord. Those are the times when you have exhausted the last of your own strength and even the strength of those who surround you and have faithfully held up your arms in times of need.

Of course your full dependency is to always be in God but he has given you tools to get through many of the trials in everyday life. You can access the gifts he has provided to you and you call on those around you to bring their gifts and strengths as well.

Yet, we all face times where no human gift, no human help and no human strength will provide help for what you need or are facing— that is the time when you become so aware that your hope remains only because you know that God is with you.

“Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” Psalms‬ ‭60‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭

Often these times test your faith because they strip you of all human help, all hope in your strength and all natural answers. But when you have been stripped— and you realize that your only hope and help is in God— it is then that your faith has passed the test. Your faith has not failed or faltered but it is your foundation. You are a “prisoner of hope!”

“Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”
Zachariah 9:12

He is your fortress and you cannot escape hope when your foundation is God. You may have done every earthly 911 call but Zachariah 9:12 is your true help— return to your fortress of Christ! He will restore you.

When you had been stripped of all human help and find yourself in a place where if God doesn’t come through then the enemy will prevail over you— it is then that you run to the fortress of your Savior. He will help you and bring you into a place of victory.

It is in these times that you can be sure that your life is built upon a sure foundation— and not sinking sand. When all else has failed to help you— your faith and hope in God remains.

Many are learning that even faith is a gift of grace that comes from the Lord. You need God to rely on God. You need him to love him. You need him to hope in him. And you need him to be the strength in your weakest hours. Lastly, you need him to trample down your enemies and to gain the victory for you. No man can do this— but you can trust him to do this.

If you are in this desperate place where your need has exceeded human help then pray this,

“God, give me your aid against the enemy and the adversity that has come against me, for human help is worthless to me. I put my hope in you God! My hope in you and your power will cause me to gain the victory as you trample down our enemies. I have no hope or help apart from you, God. But because you have promised to never leave me or forsake me and to be my fortress— I know that I have both hope and help even when human help cannot gain the victory for me. I will see the victory because you are my God in whom I trust.”

I add my “amen” to your prayer and declaration of his help and victory against all that has come against you. We know that the enemy has come to kill, steal and destroy but God has come to give you abundant life (John 10:10). Your portion is ABUNDANT LIFE! Run to the fortress of Jesus and receive what he has for you.

---

---