Erwin Lutzer, former Pastor of Moody Memorial Church, received a letter from a radio listener years ago, in which he wrote:
I am a man, thirty-one years of age and divorced, though I fought the divorce bitterly. I feel bad because I have no hope for the future. Often, I go home from church and cry but there is no one to hold me when I cry. No one cares. What hurts most is that I have begged God for the grace to be single for His glory and to fix my eyes on Jesus but nothing changes. I continue to fail. I am a basket case emotionally and on the verge of collapse. Something is very wrong. I’m so crippled and embittered that I can scarcely relate to others anymore. I feel that I will have to sit out the rest of my life in the penalty box.[i]
Have you experienced those difficult and devastating moments of life? The temptation is to become angry and bitter. Some people even grow to hate and blame God. Why is God allowing this to happen to me? Why does God lead us into the wilderness experiences of life? Why the wilderness? Asking why usually doesn’t satisfy. It is far better to consider what we can learn and how to respond in a way that will help us grow in our journey through life.
Have you ever noticed that the difficulties come in packages? Many times, they are overwhelming. What we need to remember is that even Jesus felt overwhelmed with sorrow. We see this in the garden of Gethsemane. What wilderness experiences quickly remind us of is our humanity, our weakness, and our frailty.
God has always led His people into the wilderness experiences of life. All of his servants have had moments in the wilderness: Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus Himself. Wildernesses experiences have a design for them. If you would look over the first three gospels, God by His spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. It was God who initiated the confrontation between Jesus and the devil. While the Israelites failed in their wilderness experience, Jesus was victorious. He is a model for our lives as we are in the wilderness.
We find in Deuteronomy a fascinating explanation of why God allows wilderness experiences in our lives. Moses, in the second reading of the Law, is coming to the end of his ministry. He describes to the Israelites the value of the wilderness experiences in order for them to never forget God. Let us look at the four reasons mentioned to explain why God leads us into the wilderness.
THE FIRST REASON WHY GOD LEADS US INTO THE WILDERNESS IS TO HUMBLE US
God cannot really use us until we are bruised by life. Brokenness is needed in our lives for us to effectively serve others.
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.[ii]
A. The wilderness is a place of need.
It is in the wilderness that miracles are needed and given. Elijah was fed by ravens in a time of famine in the wilderness. Israel was given manna that gracious provision to sustain an estimated 2-3 million people for 40 years in the wilderness. The wilderness is a place where confidence in ourselves and our abilities are undermined in order for us to look to God. We are forced to depend upon Him and Him alone to supply. The wilderness experiences are designed to teach us trust in God and gratitude for his provisions.
B. The wilderness is a place where God is glorified because of His miraculous provisions.
The wilderness is a place where He reveals Himself to us–that His grace is sufficient in our time of weakness. When Israel came into the wilderness and camped by the Red Sea and saw that they were about to be destroyed or returned into captivity, they panicked. But listen to the voice of Moses, a man trained in the wilderness. “Be still,” was the word from Moses. It is in the wilderness that we learn to be still in our spirit. It is the place where we need to let God do His will. Moses told the people, “Be still and see the salvation of the Lord.”
Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’[iii]
C. The wilderness is a place where we learn to let God fight our battles for us.
It is humbling to depend on others. Why? Because it is an acknowledgement of our weakness. Have you noticed how we struggle with that? We do not want to depend on others. Pride says that I can do it all by myself. God did not create us to be independent but interdependent.
D. The wilderness addresses our pride.
The problem with pride is that it creates a false sense of security. Pride means we forget our weaknesses and our need for others, but above all it means we forget our need for God. It is in prosperity that there is the danger of forgetting God.
Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, And when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, Then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.[iv]
Here we see what pride is and its results. Pride is self-worship. Notice the words you and yours. The result of pride is that it creates an absence of God. God is forgotten. He is no longer needed. Self is deified. It is expressed in self-reliance.
Savanarola, the great Florentine preacher of the fifteenth century, one day saw an elderly woman worshipping at the statue of the Virgin Mary which stood in his city’s great cathedral. On the following day, he noticed the same woman again on her knees before the statue. With great interest, Savonarola observed that day after day, she came and did homage before the statue.
‘Look how she reverences the Virgin Mother’, Savanarola whispered to one of his fellow priests.
‘Don’t be deceived by what you see,’ the priest responded. ‘Many years ago, an artist was commissioned to create a statue for the cathedral. As he sought a young woman to pose as the model for his sculpture, he found one who seemed to be the perfect subject. She was young, serenely lovely, and had a mystical quality in her face. The image of that young woman inspired his statue of Mary. The woman who now worships the statue is the same one who served as its model years ago. Shortly after the statue was put in place, she began to visit it and has continued to worship there religiously ever since.’[v]
Pride is arrogant self-worship. It is the sin of exalting oneself and placing one’s own interests above the interests of others. Pride craves admiration and even adoration and will not share the limelight. Pride deludes its victims into believing that they have no peers and drives them to try to destroy anyone who takes recognition away from them. The proud are in love with themselves and seek to call attention to their admirable qualities.”[vi]
Peter learned this reality in a painful way. In his pride and self-confidence Peter declared his willingness to die for Christ, though others would flee, but discovered through failure his own weakness when he denied knowing Jesus three times. Peter the older, wiser saint writes in 1 Peter.
…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.[vii]
The wilderness experience creates a proper perspective of our real condition. It takes away all the props and forces us to either truly depend upon God or else abandoned Him altogether and go our own way. The first reason why God leads us into the wilderness is to humble us and address the deception of pride in our lives. How should we respond to God in the wilderness of life? By standing still, trusting God, living in gratitude and appreciation for all that He has done for us.
THE SECOND REASON FOR THE WILDERNESS IS TO TEST US
The wilderness is the crucible that brings out the issues of our heart. It is easy to serve God when all is well. The real test is when life seems to be falling apart. The way we respond in those moments says far more about us, and where we are really at than at other times.
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.[viii]
Anyone can profess a belief in God, but the wilderness is the real crucible. Are we committed to doing His will or not? The wilderness experience will come and test our allegiance, our loyalty to the person of Christ. It really is the love test. This test is given in the context of obedience. Love to God is measured by our obedience to His word. Notice what Jesus says to His disciples:
“‘If you love me, keep my commands (John 14:15).”
The first temptation in the Bible was in the garden of Eden, in which we notice the serpent’s cunning as he challenged Eve with the words, “Has God said?” The temptation is to disobey His word, which is His will.
H. B. London, cousin of Dr. James Dobson, describes the steps of pastors who fall into sin. He states that arrogance is the first step.
‘Arrogance is the sense that the rules apply to everyone else except ourselves. The temptation is to think that somehow we are exempt from God’s word.’
The wilderness is the place where obedience to His will is tested. Will we return to Egypt? Will we complain? Will we panic? Will we give into the temptation? If there is no option to obey or disobey, then we have no opportunity to express our love to God. God wants us to love Him for who He is. Choice is necessary to reveal what is within us.
How did Jesus overcome in the wilderness? He not only quoted the Scriptures, rather He submitted to them. Submission to His word is submission to God’s will which is always the way to victory in the wilderness.
The silence of the enemy after the reply of the Lord was a clear confession of his defeat, and a remarkable proof that he is unable to gain advantage over those who are content to abide, at whatever the cost, in the will of God.[ix]
THE THIRD REASON FOR THE WILDERNESS IS TO TEACH US
It is in the difficult experiences of life that lessons are etched into our minds for good. You have heard the old expression, “they are going to have to learn the hard way.” Unfortunately for us, experience teaches us valuable things that words of instruction alone sometimes fail to impress upon us until we discover it through failure.
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.[x]
A. It’s in the wilderness that we get our priorities straightened out.
What was one of the aspects of the first testing in the wilderness for Christ? After he had fasted for forty days he was hungry, and the enemy wanted Jesus to turn the stones into loaves of bread. The test is to place the temporal, material world over the eternal spiritual world. It is placing this earthly kingdom above His kingdom.
The wilderness is to teach us that people do not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. We discover in the difficult and devastating places of our lives that it takes more than what our society has to offer to live a fulfilling life. How many here have discovered the goodness, grace, comfort and love of God in the hard places? We need to discover this most important principle of life. Put God first. Jesus stated it during His sermon on the mount.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.[xi]
The context of that text is in relationship to food and clothing. God knows what we have need of. He is well able to provide. The wilderness teaches that God is able to provide a table for us. Psalm 23 declares that He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies. God supplies our needs even when the enemies of devastating experiences are at work in our lives.
B. It is in the wilderness that God triumphs over our enemies.
Our wilderness experiences are not only for our sakes, but for the sake of others. The Egyptians discovered that the Lord was God. God gained glory when Egypt followed Israel into the wilderness and into the sea. God revealed Himself to the people of God in such a powerful way. But this miracle would later be instrumental in the Israelites’ possessing the land. All the nations knew what God had done, and therefore they were psychologically ripe for the pickings when they went in to possess the land. It is interesting that the people in Jericho, a generation later, were still talking about the Red Sea experience. We hear this in the voice of Rahab as she is speaking to the spies that are with her in Jericho.
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, ‘I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.’[xii]
C. The ultimate reason for the wilderness is to teach us to worship.
The wilderness is a call to worship. It was in the wilderness that Moses saw the burning bush that was not being consumed. Drawn by curiosity, Moses approached the bush and discovered the presence of Almighty God. It was at the bush that God spoke to Moses.
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ ‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.[xiii]
Moses came to God, and there worshiped in His presence. Where was this? In the wilderness. It is interesting to note the words of Moses to Pharaoh, regarding his purpose in coming to Egypt. You say, “I know what Moses said, He told Pharaoh to let the people go. He was there as a deliverer.” Yes this is all true. But this is where we generally stop.
Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened.’[xiv]
What’s the purpose? So that they may worship God in the wilderness. We find this concept expressed in Moses’ commission at the bush.
And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.’[xv]
God’s deliverance in our lives is to bring us to a place of worship. Isn’t it interesting that when Jesus was in His wilderness experience, the issue of worship arose. The devil promised to give the kingdoms of this world, if Jesus would only worship him.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”’[xvi]
Jesus’ reply is that worship is to be reserved for God alone. The wilderness is about who or what will we worship.
THE FINAL REASON FOR THE WILDERNESS IS TO BRING BLESSINGS OUR WAY
Wilderness experiences are not designed for our destruction but are designed to develop us, strengthen us, teach us, and ultimately bring a greater good into our lives and the lives of others.
He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.[xvii]
The Israelites had to go through the wilderness experiences before they could possess the promises of God. To get to the promised land, God took them through the wilderness. God doesn’t lead us into the wilderness in order to hurt us, but to bless us. God’s purpose for leading Israel through the wilderness was to bring them to a solitary place; a mountain where they could worship God. But we can’t worship properly whom we do not know, and so the wilderness is a place of where God makes Himself known to us. It’s in the wilderness that the character of God is revealed. You may recall after the destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, Moses wrote a wonderful song of worship. It’s found in Exodus 15. Within this song, we have a revelation of the nature of God.
The LORD is my strength, and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God… The LORD is a warrior; the LORD (Yahweh speaks of his saving attributes) is his name.[xviii]
God is seen as a deliverer.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.[xix]
God is described as majestic in power.
Your right hand, LORD, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. (Those that oppose God’s people, are in reality opposing God).[xx]
God is here described with the ability over the forces of nature.
By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.[xxi]
God’s attributes are expressed in the song of praise.
Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you–majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?[xxii]
We see in the conclusion of the song the motive of God for the wilderness.
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.[xxiii]
God leads us in His unfailing love. It is His unfailing love that leads us into the wilderness because it is there that He is leading us straight to Himself. Can you see God’s purpose, child of God? The wilderness is not meant to destroy us but rather to remove all the earthly props and distractions. He desires you and me alone. He wants to reveal Himself to us, in order for us to worship Him in the right spirit and in understanding.
We can follow where His unfailing love will lead us. Why? Because He is leading us straight into His loving arms. It seems to be so difficult for us to learn this. God’s purposes for us are good. No wonder the apostle Paul wrote to the Roman believers:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.[xxiv]
Too often we allow the wilderness experiences of life to obscure our view of God because we are so busy grumbling and complaining.
The things of earth must be broken before they can effectively minister to the needs of others. The loaves and fish needed to be broken in order to feed the multitude. The body of our Lord Jesus Christ needed to be broken in order to bring about the forgiveness of sins. The church, His living body, needs to be broken through tests (wilderness experiences) in order to be effective in ministering to the needs of people. One of the reasons why so many believers are so ineffective in ministry is that they have not been broken. They cannot understand the pain that surrounds them. But what encourages my heart is that Jesus always picks up the broken pieces. God never wastes the sufferings, the brokenness, nor the wilderness experiences of our lives. This earthly life is really a wilderness preparing us for eternity in God’s promised land.
https://pixabay.com/photos/judaean-desert-desert-cliffs-nature-6908389
[i] Sermon by Erwin Lutzer, ‘Life in the penalty box.’
[ii] Deuteronomy 8:2, The New International Version of the Bible, Zondervan, 2011.
[iii] Exodus 14:13-14.
[iv] Deuteronomy 8:12-14
[v] Tony Campolo, The Seven Deadly Sins, 74-75.
[vi] Ibid.
[vii] 1 Peter 5:5-6.
[viii] Deuteronomy 8:2.
[ix] G. Campbell Morgan, The Gospel of Luke, (Fleming H. Revell Books, 1931).
[x] Deuteronomy 8:3.
[xi] Matthew 6:33.
[xii] Joshua 2:8-10.
[xiii] Exodus 3:4-6.
[xiv] Exodus 7:16.
[xv] Exodus 3:12.
[xvi] Matthew 4:8-10.
[xvii] Deuteronomy 8:16.
[xviii] Exodus 15:2a-3.
[xix] Exodus 15:4-5.
[xx] Exodus 15:6b-7.
[xxi] Exodus 15:8.
[xxii] Exodus 15:11.
[xxiii] Exodus 15:13.
[xxiv] Romans 8:28.
