CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 712

“Wilderness Experience”

Hebrews 3:7 (ESV) Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness …
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If you are like me the word, ‘wilderness’ brings to mind images of vast forests and rugged terrain. Depending upon your local environment, ‘wilderness’ may conjure images of frozen tundra, the badlands of South Dakota, or vast uninhabitable desert regions. The Greek word translated as ‘wilderness’ in our reference Scripture is used in both the contexts of people and places. Relative to places it means everything just described. When used in the context of people it carries the meaning of loneliness, desertion by others, and to be deprived of protection and aid from friends and relatives.

The wilderness is seen in the Bible as a place chosen by God for testing. Moses fled Egypt and spent forty years in the wilderness before encountering God at the burning bush. The Word of God came to John the Baptist while in the wilderness and then he began his ministry. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted by Satan.

Are you currently undergoing a wilderness experience? What does it look like? Is it unemployment with job prospects as scarce as water in a desert region? Have you been deserted by friends or lost a loved one? Does your life lack fullness and fulfillment? Have you been stripped of all that you formerly relied upon – all that you placed your security in – leaving you feeling vulnerable?

God allows our wilderness experiences as a time of testing. We are tested not so that God can find out what we will do, but rather so that we can discover and know the depths of God’s love, power, and provision for us. We are tested so that we can dig deep the well of our relationship with Him. This well is where we can draw Living Water from in future times of difficulty for ourselves and also to nourish others who need know the love of Jesus.

We are tested in our wilderness experience so that we can know what we are capable of through Christ.

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:12

We are tested so that we can know who we are in Christ.

…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Cor 5:17

We can choose to grumble and complain and pine for ‘the good old days’ during our wilderness experiences or we can seek a greater depth of relationship with God. If you read the books of Exodus and Numbers it is quickly evident that God is not much into grumbling so our choice should be obvious.

May you embrace every circumstance as an opportunity to grow closer to God. May you allow Him as the Master Potter to shape your character and prepare you to be His vessel of truth, love, presence and power poured out to a world that hungers and thirsts for Him.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God