In the Wilderness

And David abode in the wilderness (1 Samuel 1:23a).

In order to teach us the lessons we need to know, God often sends His children into a wilderness period.  Elijah was sent to the brook at Cherith during a drought and was fed by ravens to learn to depend upon God for everything.  Moses and the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until all but two of the wayward generation died, and a new generation was more ready to be obedient. David lived in the wilderness when he was hiding from Saul but still leaned on God.

Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matthew 4:1).

This is true in the New Testament, too. John the Baptist began his ministry in the wilderness of Judaea, and Jesus spent time in the wilderness where Satan tempted Him. After his conversion, Paul stayed in the wilderness three years before he started his ministry. The wilderness times in our lives can be an opportunity to grow closer to God and renew and strengthen our faith and commitment.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).

There are also figurative wildernesses in our lives, and we all have them. Jonah's wilderness came in the belly of a big fish. The apostle John's happened on the Isle of Patmos. If you look at your own life, you will probably discover one or more wilderness periods that God used for your good, and made you realize "how great is His faithfulness!"

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