Why the Wilderness?

Are you like me - often whining about the circumstances of my life? Much like the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness, I ask the silly question “Where is God and why must I suffer? Take me back to Egypt.”

During difficult personal, financial and health situations, I find it easy to think these thoughts. But God has this answer for me.

Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell.

Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 8:2-5, 15-18 NLT)

Should I welcome the wilderness? Of course not. However, if God allows it, I want to learn the lessons He has for me.

Will you join me this week in learning the wilderness lessons?

 

Sharing the journey with you,