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“Everybody—at least everybody who has anything to do with God—spends time in the wilderness.” (E. Peterson)

Whether in or out, God has given us his “precious promises” (2 Pet. 1:3,4) and intends for us to enter into His promises for rescue, refuge and conquest.

“I am God...who declares the end from the beginning...who says My purpose will stand, also, I will accomplish all My good pleasure...I have formulated it, indeed, I will accomplish it.” (Is. 46:9-11)

All of the promises of God are sourced in His single purpose—His promise, THE PROMISE of Jesus Christ who will reconcile the world to God, by His grace and for His glory.

The Scriptural storyline of wilderness to Promise...

1. Warning Label—Eat and Die! (Gen. 3:15)

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed (offspring) and her seed (offspring); HE shall crush you on the head, and you shall strike HIM on the heel.

God announced first in the Garden of Eden THE PROMISE that He would reconcile the world to Himself through “her seed” (Jesus Christ) by crushing the head of evil and all of his works. (Is. 14:12; Lk. 10:17-18; Eph.6:12; Rev. 12:9; 20:1-3,7-10)

He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (Jn. 5:54)

Are you abiding in Him?

2. Warning Label—Curse and Be Cursed! (Gen.12:1-3)

And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

“A son (Gen. 3:15) born to a Semite (Gen. 9:26) named Abram (Abraham), was to form a nation to advance THE PROMISE.” (W. Kaiser, TOTT, 1978)

God “called out” a people through whom He would reconcile the world to Himself—who would carry “her seed”—He would bless the world (“in you”).

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” (Gal. 3:13)

Have you received the exchange of the curse of the law for the blessings of God’s salvation in Christ?

3. Warning Label—All the promises of God are YES in CHRIST! (2 Cor. 1:15-22)

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.

A son (Gen. 3:15), born to a Semite (Gen. 9:26; Lk. 1:26-35) named Mary, according to “the oath which He swore to Abraham, our father” (Lk. 1:73; Gen. 22:16-18), is THE PROMISE from which all other promises find meaning.

The apostles confirm what had been purposed before the foundation pf the world, that all of the promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ and no other—they are all yes in Jesus.

“There is no event in Israel’s history or promise granted to God’s people that does not find its significance or fulfillment in Christ.” (W. Kaiser, TOTT, 1978)

So, we are ambassadors of the mercy of God who has extended grace by making time between Calvary and the Second Coming—the gospel is that mercy of God!

Have you received the seal of His ownership in your life, His Spirit, the first installment of what is yet to come and the present benefit of all the promises of God?

Summary:
YOUR DESTINATION IS NOT WILDERNESS BUT PROMISE—THE PROMISE of peace with God through Jesus
Christ—from the curse of death to YES in Christ!

Have you chosen the wilderness by your disobedience? There is rescue in Christ.

Have you been chased into the wilderness by God? He is sharpening your spiritual senses to hear Him more clearly and depend on Him more fully.

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