i am mindful that every one of us journeys through two types of wildernesses in our lives. One of those is a once in a lifetime journey. It will last as long as we choose. It can even last a lifetime. It is a wilderness journey that has repercussions that extend far beyond our lifetime and far beyond our own life. We weren’t created for that journey. Our Creator never intended for us to walk through it. He didn’t equip us to walk thru it. But He has made a way for us to emerge from it. 

The second type of wilderness journey can also last a lifetime, but most often it lasts for a season. Usually, we don’t get to choose how long that season lasts. Sometimes we enter into the journey by our own choice. Most often, it’s not our choice. This one isn’t a once in a lifetime journey, it can reoccur – and most often does – in different forms and for different durations. Our Creator didn’t intend for us to have the hardships of this type of journey, but He permits them – and on occasion even initiates them – so that we learn to draw closer to Him. He doesn’t intend for us to walk through this type of journey alone. As a matter of fact, the good news is that if we have emerged from the first type of wilderness journey, He is there to walk with us through every step of this journey – if we choose to let Him. 

Both types of journey can defeat us and conquer us, if we choose to allow them to do so. Both of them are filled with hardship and shadows, chasms and mountains. Both can be all-consuming. Both will have impact on those around us – particularly those who are close to us. Both can lead to hopelessness. BUT both can lead to victory!

The first type of wilderness journey is in the wilderness of sin. We were all born into it. Even our precious 16-month-old grandson occasionally reminds us that our sin nature is not something we acquire along the journey of life – it was hard-wired into our lives at birth. It is a journey that will continue into eternity left to its own device.

Singer and songwriter Phil Wickham wrote a worship song entitled “Living Hope”. As we sang it in worship this past Sunday, i was gripped by the truth of the message. Phil has clearly described that wilderness of sin as the chasm that lays between us and our Creator. It is the mountain that is impossible for us to climb. It is the darkness we can’t penetrate. It is the shame we can’t overcome. It is the chain we can’t overpower. BUT when we come to the end of ourselves, and in desperation turn to Him, in His loving-kindness, Jesus “{tears} through the shadows” and “sets {us} free”. Because of Him our sins are forgiven. Because of Him death no longer has a grip on us. Jesus is our Living Hope!

And our hope in Him does not end with our salvation, it truly just begins. Not only has the “Roaring Lion” set us free from sin’s claim, He goes before us as the other journeys of our life continue, assuring us of His constant presence, and assuring us of His victory – no matter what we encounter.

He alone turns all of our wilderness journeys of hopelessness into journeys of hope – because He is our Living Hope!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3 NASB)

Living Hope

How great the chasm that lay between us
How high the mountain I could not climb
In desperation, I turned to heaven
And spoke Your name into the night
Then through the darkness, Your loving-kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul
The work is finished, the end is written
Jesus Christ, my living hope

Who could imagine so great a mercy?
What heart could fathom such boundless grace?
The God of ages stepped down from glory
To wear my sin and bear my shame
The cross has spoken, I am forgiven
The King of kings calls me His own
Beautiful Savior, I'm Yours forever
Jesus Christ, my living hope

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope

Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
Jesus, Yours is the victory, whoa!

Oh God, You are my living hope.

Songwriters: Phil Wickham / Brian Mark Johnson

Living Hope lyrics © Essential Music Publishing, Bethel Music Publishing