2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Leviticus 14:1-57 ESV, Mark 6:3ccc0-56 ESV, Psalm 40:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 10:11-12 ESV
Daily Verse: “And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” (Mark 6:31 ESV)
EREMOS (2048): “Lonesome, waste, desert (13x), desolate (4x), solitary (1x), wilderness (32x).”[I]
Desolate miracle.
As Jesus’ ministry gained movement, finding time away from the crowds became increasingly difficult. The apostles, returning from a divine mission, need a break. Jesus invites them to “come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while” (vs. 31).
Unfortunately or not, the crowd saw the guys heading out in the boat and followed them. Arriving before Jesus and the boys, the masses waited with anticipation for them. Jesus has compassion for the people and begins teaching. Because of the desolate area, Jesus performed a famous miracle, feeding the crowd of 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish.
Miraculous desolation.
Jesus wouldn’t have fed the 5000 if they weren’t in a desolate area. Impossible circumstances create opportunities for miracles. We don’t pray for miracles when we’re on vacation at the beach. However, if we’re hungry and stranded in an isolated place, I’m sure our conversations with God become much more passionate. Pleading for divine intervention becomes intense when we feel most alone.
Without bad days we wouldn’t appreciate good ones. Walking with God takes us through both types of days. God calls us into desolate places which become fertile ground for miracles. Impossible circumstances have miraculous results when we journey with Jesus.
Sometimes, God takes us to lonely places, like Jesus took the disciples. When God brings us into the wilderness, He’s preparing us for the miracle. Miraculous events require desolate circumstances.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p.102) Thomas Nelson
