Are you experiencing a passage in your life that the term  “a walk in the wilderness”  aptly describes what you deem your current portion?  Well take courage!  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, went through His wilderness experience literally, (Matthew 4: 1-11) and came through victoriously.  He was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil.  The record of Jesus’ trial teaches us how to overcome by standing firmly, by faith, in the word of God.  Jesus, the living Word, quoted the written Word of God to the devil.  The devil could find no foothold in Jesus to affect His life, so he departed, ending the trial and angels were sent to minister to Jesus.

Have you proved God in your wilderness?  Did you discover that God had not left you, but that He was using the experience to strengthen you and draw you closer to Him?  Has the knowledge sunk in that ultimately I am in my Father’s hands and nothing can reach me except that which He permits to come through the “grid of God”?   He works all things for His glory.   Romans 8:28  “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called, according to His purpose”. 

Hosea 2:14  “Therefore, behold, I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her.  I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope and she shall sing there”.  Nobody chooses to live in a wilderness.  It is a barren place, a wasteland where little grows.  We do not see it as desirable or a place of beauty.  Usually there are few, or no other, inhabitants.  Therefore, when I have stopped complaining, there are fewer distractions and I discover God there.  This is the whole purpose of the wilderness:  to draw closer to God, learn to listen to Him as He “speaks comfortably” to me.  I discover the joy of His presence there and cannot help but sing, rejoicing in Him and who He is, (my loving Father), in spite of my circumstances.  His ear is attentive to my song there, He hears.   He turns my negatives (the valley of Achor, Joshua 7) into His glorious positives, a door of hope – Jesus is my Living Hope!

When the wilderness has served its purpose, God will release me and lead me safely through this passage.  The wilderness has divine purpose.  Let me view it through God’s eyes. What does God require of me in this place?  It is the testing place where He can be glorified ……and I receive all the benefits of Christ’s victory in me!