Have you ever felt that God "has left the building" or exited your life? Sometimes it seems as though God has checked out, especially when you experience suffering and feel alone. Your fellowship with God seems dry? This is referred to as the Wilderness season, my friend.
But I have good news!!! God doesn't do that. He promises He will never leave you or forsake you. You can be assured of His constant presence during times of suffering, and when all is well.
The Hebrew word "Immanuel" means "God with us." God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is with you in a very personal and intimate way. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it is impossible to be separated from God. God's constant presence is with you, especially when you're walking through your darkest valley. Hold on to God's promise to be with you in every situation and feel His closeness and comfort.
Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit, it lasted for 40 days. It was a time of temptation. It seemed like the Holy Spirit left Jesus in the wilderness alone. There was no reference to the Holy Spirit being in the wilderness with Jesus.
Israel also has a wilderness season after their spiritual encounters in Egypt. The people of Israel spent 40 years there.
The difference between Jesus and the Children of Israel was their reaction to the wilderness.
Jesus Reaction to the wilderness...
· Jesus quoted scriptures.
· Jesus confessed God’s word.
· Jesus trusted what God said about Him.
Israel Reaction to the Wilderness…
· Israel quoted their feelings.
· Israel complained.
· Israel doubted God’s presence was with them.
The important lesson to learn from Jesus Reaction VS Israel reaction is: Our reaction in the spiritual dryness determines if that time will shrink or be extended in the wilderness season.
Complaining prolongs your spiritual wilderness; complaining is to the devil what worship is to God. So don’t complain, praise your way through while confessing God’s word to shrink the wilderness season.
The Wilderness is a dry place, worship is the water. The children of Israel got their water from the rock. The rock symbolizes Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Dear God, forgive me for always wanting an easy life. I admit that I don’t want to suffer, and I don’t like it when things go wrong. But I ask you to help me have a good attitude and to trust you to bring good out of every situation that comes my way, good or bad. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Scripture Reference
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”