When Christ Becomes Your Portion in the Wilderness

There is often a profound sense of loneliness that overwhelms the Christian whose heart is set on seeking God and surrendering fully to His purpose. While others bask in the joys of good times and entertainment, this one walks through the shadows of solitude. Before him lies a dark night that his soul must press through, and behind him is the world whose riches no longer entice him.

He longs for understanding but finds none. He seeks assurance from others, but no one is in sight. Christ alone becomes his hope, and on His gentle shoulder, the weary Christian leans. With eyes of faith, he gazes into the darkness, for beyond it, he sees a glorious light that those who walk by sight cannot perceive. The journey is exhausting, and at times, he feels on the verge of giving up. Yet, he is compelled to press on by the tender hand of the Good Shepherd and the watchful eye of his Heavenly Father.

In the barren wilderness, a table is set before him. Here, he begins to experience Christ as his life supply. A rich feast is laid out, and he is encouraged to eat and drink of Christ, who has become his portion in the midst of darkness and desolation. This experience not only empties him of self but also leads him to a deeper enjoyment of Christ as the life-giving Spirit within him. His inner man is strengthened, enabling him to deeply apprehend the immeasurable love of Christ.

Drawn nearer to the Father, who dwells in love and light, he finds that all the Father is and has is being worked into his being. Finally, just as Gideon was instructed to go forth in the strength he had, this believer is also commissioned to strengthen the weak and offer hope to the hopeless. And through it all, he is never truly alone, for the Lord remains his sun and shield, guarding his path and illuminating his way.

You Are the Sweet Fragrance of Christ to God

For we are the fragrance of Christ to God... (2 Corinthians 2:15)

We often find ourselves drawn to those who wear a pleasant perfume. But have you ever considered how God feels when we approach Him? This verse clearly states that we are to God the very fragrance of Christ.

In Hebrews 4:16, we are encouraged to approach the throne of grace with boldness. Why? Because the One who sits on the throne takes delight in our coming to Him. But what makes us so pleasing to God? On our own, we have no merit before this Holy and Awesome God. However, the Bible tells us that God has united us with Christ. Everything Christ is and all He accomplished through His death and resurrection has been credited to us.

This reminds me of Noah, a righteous man, who offered a sacrifice to God after the flood (Genesis 8:20). The Lord was pleased with the sweet aroma. Noah's sacrifice was merely a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us .How much more fragrant is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! There is no sweeter aroma to God than Christ, who became the perfect sacrifice for us on the cross.

Dear Christian, let this truth be the capstone of your daily life. Others may judge you based on your actions and achievements, but to God, your Heavenly Father, you are a sweet-smelling fragrance that brings Him great delight. Are you fully secure in this truth, or do you feel discouraged when your life seems less significant than others'? We must be grounded in our identity in Christ, not in our accomplishments.

Remember, whenever God smells a sweet fragrance, a blessing follows. After God was pleased with Noah's offering, He blessed him. Today, God blesses us by dispensing in us His very life and nature. He has given us His Spirit to dwell within us, providing a continual life supply and saturating us with Christ in every part of our being. What a blessing it is to have all that Christ is, fully imparted into us. God delights in giving Himself to us for our enjoyment. Because we are the sweet fragrance of Christ to God, may this truth give us the confidence to draw near to Him always and continually pursue a deeper walk with Him.

The Inward Life God Desires

As we journey on in the Christian life, have we ever considered what God truly desires? Have we reflected on the possibility that what we deem important may not hold the same significance in His eyes? Our Christian life can often be filled with outward activities and busyness, yet we may overlook the deeper, inward aspect of our walk with Him. It is easy to justify our spiritual efforts by focusing on external works, but God's focus is always on our inner life.

In Ephesians 3:16, Paul prays that the Ephesian believers would be strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit in their inner being. Similarly, Psalm 51:6 reveals that God desires truth in our innermost parts. But what truth is being referred to here? Since God Himself is the embodiment of truth, this truth speaks of the reality of God within us. His desire is to impart His life and nature into us, shaping us into the image of His Son. Through His Spirit,  He continually dispenses Himself into us so that we may experience the reality of His very essence within our being.

As we engage in spiritual disciplines—such as personal prayer, studying His Word, and Godly fellowship—we open ourselves to this divine infusion. If this is what God desires, it should become our desire as well. However, His work within us does not stop here. As we experience more of Him, His unsearchable riches begin to shape our character, producing divine virtues within us. This inward reality then manifests outwardly, enabling us to be vessels of His grace to others.

May we, as God’s redeemed people, continually receive His life within us, allowing His presence to saturate our entire being. As a result, we will bear much fruit for His glory, faithfully serving in His kingdom.