Locust and Honey (part 1)

Matthew 3:1-6
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ “4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV)

You and I will not find God’s Grace (Favor) until we come into HIS place of REST.

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV)
9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

We cannot experience God’s Grace (influence, action, enabling work, favor, support) in our lives until we put our own works and efforts in PAUSE!

The Name “John” (Hebrew) = Yahweh (The Lord) has been Gracious.
Wilderness in Old Testament Jeshimmon (The Devastation)
De = “Completely, thoroughly” + Vastare = “lay waste”
Vastare:
Cut Troops (Gideon = Judges 6:1-7).
Desolate (Latin = completely alone) See Psalm 22:1-5.
Empty (Old English = to not have) See Ruth 1:21.