Understanding The Wilderness: A Place of Purpose, Not Punishment – Part 1a

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

When someone goes through a wilderness season, it does not necessarily mean they have done something wrong. Yes, there are times when stubbornness or disobedience can lead a person into difficult places. But that is not always the case. Not every wilderness experience is the result of failure. To understand this truth, we need only look at Jesus Christ. He did nothing wrong—yet He entered the wilderness.

Weathers have seasons! And Scriptures reveal that life unfolds in spiritual seasons. The Bible says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Read Ecclesiastes 3:1. There are seasons of joy, seasons of growth, and yes—seasons of wilderness. There are moments when God calls us higher – “Come up hither.” Read Revelation 4:1. As much as one might not want to admit it, the wilderness is one of those seasons. The wilderness and vicissitudes [‘an unforeseen change or experience that affect one’s life’] is not meant to destroy you, but to elevate you. The Bible counsels, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Read Deuteronomy 31:6. Even in the wilderness, the Lord is there with you. The Psalmist writes, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Read Psalm 23:4. Notice the wording—walk through. The wilderness is not your destination; it is a passage.

So, what then is the purpose of the wilderness? The wilderness was initiated by the Spirit of God. The Scripture tells us, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” Read Matthew 4:1, making Jesus as our absolute model in the wilderness. What looked like isolation, turned out to be a time of divine formation. The wilderness has a purpose, and let us look at some of the purposes.

–> Spiritual Testing, Development, Strengthening & Suffering – The Bible says, “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days He did eat nothing: and when they were ended, He afterward hungered.” Read Luke 4:1-2. The Bible further says, “And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” Read Luke 22:43. The Spirit of God, sustained Him. Let us look further, “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.” Read Hebrews 5:8.

–> Spiritual Depth – The Bible says, “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” Read Deuteronomy 8:2. Listen here, “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.” Read Isaiah 43:19. Beloved, the barren places will be well-watered – “I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” Read Isaiah 41:18.

–> Spiritual Authority – The Bible says, “But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Read Matthew 4:4. Listen to this, “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Read Matthew 4:7. The Bible goes on to say, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” Read Matthew 4:10. Here we see the Bible saying, spiritual authority comes from knowing and obeying the Word of God. The Bible continues, “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about.” Read Luke 4:14.

Just like Christ, what feels like isolation today may be preparation for what lies ahead. There is no place, where the power of God cannot reach [pause and calmly think]. The Bible says, “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” Read Psalm 139:8. In other words, “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Read Romans 8:39.

Dear Lord, thank You! “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Thank You for illumination, and comprehension of Your Word. I am deeply grateful for the Blood of Christ.

We write. You read. Be encouraged.