In the Wilderness

All of us have been in a spiritual wilderness. Very few of us have enjoyed it. I want to propose that in the wilderness, God is speaking and preparing you to inherit His promises.

There are two beautiful verses found in Numbers. Numbers 1: 1-3 says, “Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, ‘Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies.'” (italics mine)

These verses struck me in two simple ways. One, God was speaking in the wilderness. Secondly, God was preparing Israel for battle, that they may inherit their promised land. Numbers was written and records the journey of the Israelites between Egypt and Canaan. The verses referenced above point to a season of preparation for the Israelites. The wilderness was not the end of their journey, but a season in which God prepared a people to inherit a promise. The wilderness is not the end of your journey either. You are to inherit God’s promises.

What has God promised you? How is your wilderness preparing you in character and faith to receive the promises of God?

Today’s ePray devotional is simple and brief. If you are in the wilderness, God is speaking. Anticipate God’s direction and counsel, for He has led you to a wilderness and is preparing you to inherit a promise. Jesus himself was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-2), and left the wilderness in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). Jesus models for us that when walking with the Holy Spirit, the wilderness produces fruit and power.

I write for your encouragement today. If you are in the wilderness, don’t despair, but let your faith grow deep, rich and strong. God is speaking and you have been led by the Holy Spirit into a wilderness to inherit the promises of God.

When walking with the Holy Spirit, the wilderness produces fruit and power.

Adam Shepski

Global Prayer Catalyst

Youth for Christ International