OUR WILDERNESS SOJOURN IS MARKED BY CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES. The Lord's people are strangers and pilgrims here. Sometimes prosperity calls for rejoicing, and sometimes adversity calls for soul searching. If prayer appears to be unheard, our petitions seem to be denied, and we do not sense the power of our faith, it is the day of adversity. If providence frowns and the heart becomes heavy, it is a day of adversity; now we should consider, "Is there not a cause?" What is it? Has sin gained an entry? or is mercy slighted? or duty neglected? or self uplifted? Is it the hand of God moving to correct, reprove, and restore us? How should we respond? Let us humble ourselves, justify our God, confess our sin, lament our folly, crave His pardon, and plead for restoration. It is our comfort to know that the Lord calls us to return, declares that He is ready to forgive, promises a gracious reception, and assures us He will heal our backslidings and pardon us freely. Let us in faith look for His blessing.

For Meditation:
Of my extreme distresses
The author is the Lord;
Whate'er His wisdom pleases,
His name be still adored.
If still He tries my patience,
And to the utmost prove,
Yet all His dispensations
Are faithfulness and love.