Life in the wilderness can be very uncomfortable but this is the place where the most growth is done. The eye in how you see this wilderness will determine on how you grow. Lets take a look at this life in the wilderness. I am writing this as one who is walking in the wilderness now.
We can learn from what has happened in the past. Let’s look at the people of Israel when they came out of bondage of Egypt. 1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, (today you are to baptized into the Name of Jesus – born again)3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased,(Joshua and Caleb were the only two who believed God) for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. You notice that all the struggles that happens in the wilderness is of the flesh? You need to learn to see yourself separate from your flesh and live in the Spirit, if you are born again of water and spirit. Look at the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. He was tempted in every way to live in His flesh but once the temptations were complete, He came out in the power of the Spirit.
James wrote about this but no one counts being in the wilderness as joy. James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If people actually had the understanding of why they are in the wilderness, they would count it as joy. Everything that happens against you, you think it is against you. But it’s not. If you are born again in the Spirit, the Kingdom of God is in you. This is where the battle is. Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Don’t believe me, let look at Saul (Paul). He was coming against the church but Jesus didn’t tell him, why are you coming against the people? Jesus said, why are you coming against Me? So the Kingdom of Heaven (God) was in the people.
Job is another one who had his faith tested. Job lost everything. He lost all his wealth, his family, he lost everything dear to him. How you respond to this is what the accuser of the brethren believes. He believes you really don’t love God. Satan is right. Many people love their lives more than they love God. How did Job respond to this? Job 1:20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. How are we to respond and overcome (written to all the seven churches in the Book of Revelation), Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
This life in the wilderness is a testing of your faith. Do you want to go back to the place of bondage which is sin or do you want the promise land? Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law He fulfilled it. He came to take us out from the slave of bondage to serve Him as a slave to righteousness. He finished what he came to do “it is finished.” Now all who believe must live by faith (the righteous shall live by faith) that they are free from sin. If they don’t, they haven’t submitted to God but are still submitted to satan. You are resist the devil (sin) and he will flee. Your life lived proves who you are submitted too. You can confess Jesus is lord all you want but your life lived proves this. This is life of the flesh vs the spirit. You will know them by their fruit (works). James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. What’s interesting is that Jesus said this about I know your works to all the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
This life in the wilderness is amazing and a fantastic place to grow. Yes this was very painful in the beginning but I trust in the Lord with all my heart. Take a look at the faith chapter in Hebrews 11. It wasn’t easy for them but they looked to the reward just as I am doing. The righteous shall live by faith. Be Blessed friends.