Paths in the Wilderness, Part 3: Witnesses in the Wasteland

Part 3 of “Paths in the Wilderness”

Isaiah 43:8–13
(8)Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! (9)All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, “It is true.” (10)“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. (11)I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. (12)I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. (13)Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”(ESV)

You don’t have to be fully healed to testify. You don’t have to have perfect clarity to speak the truth. God calls the blind with eyes and the deaf with ears to bear witness. Because when He moves—even the broken feel it. And when He speaks—even the damaged hear something shift.

The wilderness doesn’t disqualify you. It commissions you.

This part of Isaiah 43 is a courtroom scene. God brings the nations before Him and asks who among them can prove their gods are real. But instead of flawless orators or professional saints, God chooses witnesses who have scars, who once couldn’t see clearly, who have failed.

1 Corinthians 1:27–29
(27)But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; (28)God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, (29)so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.(ESV)

He doesn’t need polished resumes. He needs honest witnesses. And the ones who’ve been lost in the wasteland? They’re the best candidates. Because they know what it means to be found.

You are not just being saved—you’re being positioned.

Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.”(ESV)

This verse isn’t just about public testimony—it’s about internal clarity.

God says:

That you may know me.
That you may believe me.
That you may understand that I am He.

That’s the order. First knowing, then believing, then understanding. Some people want full understanding before they commit. But God reveals Himself in stages—to those who are willing to follow even before it all makes sense.

Reflections and Questions for the Journey

Have you disqualified yourself from speaking about God because of your past?
Are you waiting to be “ready” before becoming a witness?
Can you accept that your wilderness may be the platform God is preparing for your voice?

Tomorrow: The Wilderness is Not a Mistake (Isaiah 43:14–17)

We’ll look at how God uses even the worst failures in your history as part of His redemption arc—and why looking back too long can keep you from moving forward.

Walking With Christ