Have you noticed that many stories in the Bible have a significant wait time from the time the person received God’s promise to its fulfillment? Abraham waited 25 years before receiving the promised son through Sarah. Joseph waited 13 years in prison
before being freed and put in a position of power. David waited at least 15 years after being appointed king before his coronation took place. Hannah waited years in barrenness before receiving a son. We know some of these Bible characters suffered hardship during their wait time. I wonder, did they have any doubts as they waited all those years to see the promise realized?
Speaking for myself, when I am in a wilderness season, I do not recall these stories of old – the examples set by past saints who waited long periods to see their promises come to fruition. I imagine you might be the same.
They say a mother’s prayers are powerful. For years, I prayed for my son and daughter-in-law, who desperately wanted a child of their own, but it was not physically possible for that to happen. I asked the Lord to glorify Himself by showing that He and He alone would make it happen. Simultaneously, I was also praying for my son to be freed from alcoholism.
In the seventh year of praying, we received our miracle. My son and daughter-in-law were expecting their first child without any intervention from IVF. Indeed, the Lord made it happen!
Not only that, nine months later, when my sweet grandson came into the world, God had a purpose for this literal miracle child… As a result of my daughter-in-law and grandson literally almost dying in childbirth and my son witnessing this harrowing scene, I guess you could say my son was “scared straight”. He checked himself into rehab and has been sober ever since. All Glory to God.
I share these personal stories to showcase that when we are in a waiting season due to circumstances outside of our control, we are more apt to doubt, but when we are actively praying, we feel a sense of “control” and we don’t give up or doubt the waiting, but persevere in prayer.
Wilderness seasons can be challenging, but God has a purpose for them. Let’s examine how we can navigate these difficult times while keeping our focus on the ultimate goal.
A Trust Building Exercise
At face value, did you ever wonder why God sent Moses to free the Israelites from Egypt, only to lead them on a 40-year journey in the wilderness? Apparently, it would’ve only been a 10-11-day journey from where they were in Egypt to the Promised Land. That’s a far cry from 40 years!
“Now, when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt. Exodus 13:17-18
Even though I’m sure it didn’t make sense to the Israelites, the Lord was actually protecting them from seeing war and becoming fearful. He was ensuring that the Israelites would remain steadfast in forward motion toward the Promised Land.
Along the way, there were many instances where the Israelites were called upon to trust the Lord on their journey. Especially when they reached the shores of the Red Sea, hearing the Egyptians thundering behind them. They watched in awe, I’m sure, as Moses parted the Red Sea and then told them to walk through it. They must’ve been hesitant at first, seeing the wall of water on either side, such an unnatural occurrence, but as the Egyptian chariots were gaining on them, they had to trust that the water would stay put! And so they proceeded safely to the other side, only to watch the Egyptians being swallowed up in the sea as the walls of water filled back in.
Do you find there are circumstances in life where you have no choice but to trust God? I know that sounds callous. I mean, OF COURSE we can trust the Lord! BUT do we??
For me, it’s the little things in life. Those annoyances that I somehow think I am going to fix, trusting in myself, rather than the Lord.
Years ago, in my late 30s, I had a routine physical, which included an EKG. After it was completed, the doctor came in and said, “Has your EKG always been like this?” I had no idea what he was talking about. Long story short, a serious issue appeared on my EKG, and I had to see a cardiologist ASAP. It was at that moment that I uttered the words, “This is too big for me, Lord. I give this to you and trust you with it.” Thankfully, everything turned out ok and my heart was perfectly fine.
God’s purpose for allowing His children to experience time in the wilderness is so that we let go of trusting in ourselves and trust Him wholly. He knows that the harder seasons will catch our attention and we will have “no choice” but to rely on Him. He doesn’t do this in a vindictive, “gotchya” kind of way, but as a loving Father who wants
us to know that He is right there with us in the wilderness. After all, God was with the Israelites all those 40 years in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He never left them. He placed Himself in their presence, knowing that He was going to take them through the wilderness.
The Lord is with you in your wilderness season. He wants you to trust Him with your whole heart and to rely on Him. Keep your eyes focused on the “Promised Land” with an eternal lens that “zooms out” when circumstances become difficult, allowing you to shift your perspective and better understand the purpose of your wilderness season.
A Time of Refinement
"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you, and to know what was in your heart, whether you would or not keep his commands". Deuteronomy 8:2
Can any of you relate to the Israelites when they were in the wilderness? All they did was complain. “Manna AGAIN!”. “We don’t have any water!” “We are going to die out here!” “I want to go back to Egypt where I was fed.” Instead of being grateful that they were not in bondage anymore under the rule of the Egyptians, they wanted to go back where apparently they thought it was better than what they were experiencing in the wilderness.
They lost all sight of the fact that they were being led to the Promised Land and that the Lord was right there with them, continually providing for them. In fact, their complaining cost them, which added more time in the wilderness.
The Israelites’ behavior teaches us many lessons about how not to behave when we find ourselves in the wilderness.
As hard as it is, when we find ourselves in the wilderness, we should look for things to be grateful for, despite it. There is always something for which we can be thankful. A bird singing outside, fall foliage, and the sun shining. The most minor things can bring times of momentary peace. Even if we still can’t find anything to be thankful for, we certainly can be grateful for our eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Instead of complaining about our hard season, we should speak words of life about those things that are good. It may be the fact that we woke up. Or that we have persevered thus far. The way the Lord sustained us through the thoughtfulness of a friend. There is always something good to find, even in the most challenging situations.
And on the note of complaining, we end up keeping ourselves in misery by doing so. We are adding to our time in the wilderness with our attitude.
The next time you are in the wilderness or if you are there right now, remember God’s purpose is to refine you so that you live out the following Scripture: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" Philippians 4:8 In doing so, you will not only adjust your attitude, you will find joy in the wilderness AND you will have an eternal focus, a reminder that you are still headed to the “Promise Land” despite your time in the wilderness.
A Period of Preparation for the Promise
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us". Romans 5:3-5
I’m sure you either know of someone or have heard of someone who has experienced unimaginable hardship and yet has redeemed that suffering into a ministry or advocacy group. They did not let their time in the wilderness define them, but it made them stronger to be an instrument of help to others who have or are suffering from the same thing.
When we allow our time in the wilderness to prepare us for bigger things, we are not wasting that time in complaining or bitterness, but are using that time to prepare for God’s greater good.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "It would be a very sharp and trying experience to me to think that I have an affliction which God never sent me, that the bitter cup was never filled by his hand, that my trials were never measured out by him, nor sent to me by his arrangement of their weight and quantity". He also said, "God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken, and when I cannot trace His hand, I can always trust His heart."-Charles.
When we view our time in the wilderness as a period of preparation, trusting God’s heart in allowing it, we will become more God-focused. As such, even in the wilderness, we can start prayerfully planning how we can redeem that time for His Glory.
The next time you are in the wilderness or if you are in it now, remember this verse: "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being
renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison as we look not to the things that are seen but to the unseen things". 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Keeping our eyes heavenward, takes us “out” of the wilderness even though we are still in it, preparing us for our ultimate reward – eternal life with Jesus.
Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to trust you in the wilderness, to be pliable for refinement, and to be vessels for your glory as a result.
What is the most challenging aspect of a wilderness season for you?
How can you apply your new understanding of God’s purposes for the wilderness to that struggle?
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