Water In The Wilderness, Christian Suffering, Part 6
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
Suffering and resisting evil has the capacity to launch us in to deeper, broader, more effective service for the Lord. Just as there are various severities of suffering, there are analogies used in the Bible that can be used to gain insights into suffering: winter, wilderness, and the valley of death.
The winter, wilderness, or valley of death may feel scary and intimidating, but rest assured, God has a plan for it. He desires to make your faith stronger, your endurance increased, your fears decreased, and your ministry to Him more fruitful. We can welcome seasons of change and challenge with open arms, trusting in our loving Father to use it for our good; to make us more like Jesus.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
-Matthew 4:1
Called To The Wilderness
Wilderness can have many geographical formations in the natural world. But in the spiritual world, the wilderness is the place of formation. The wilderness lacks the comforts of home, the company of friends, the reassurances that life will play out favorably. Natural wilderness can even mean death if ill prepared. Spiritual wilderness feels isolating, uncomfortable, without fellowship and connection, and may feel like God has completely abandoned you. But its only a season of discomfort, and will bear much fruit if we prepare and respond in a godly manner.
Pattern For Preparation
Unlike a winter season, a wilderness season comes upon us suddenly and unexpectedly. We need to be prepared BEFORE we go into the wilderness for the wilderness. Here is the pattern for preparation for entering the wilderness, as demonstrated by Jesus in Matthew 3 & 4.
Know who, where, and what you are: Matthew 3:16-17 Jesus was given an encouraging Word beforehand, reminding Him of identity (My Son), position (accepted and loved), and righteousness (well pleased)
Be prepared to suffer: Jesus entered suffering through the desert: lonely, unmet needs, and direct confrontations with the enemy. We need not be surprised or overtaken by challenges found in the desert. 1 Peter 4:12
Have the Word of God stored in your heart: Jesus needed to not only know the Word, but the context in order to counter the enemy's lies. The enemy knows Scripture better than any man, and is a master at twisting the Word of God. Staying deeply rooted in the Word and the Truth makes for a prepared child of God.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Understand the connection between identity and temptation: Jesus needed to be rock solid in His identity to counter the enemy's lies. The enemy tempted Jesus to be self-serving Mt 4:3, reckless with power v 6, and idolatrous v 9. Insecurity in these areas all trace back to identity: He is the Son of God. But Jesus didn't need to prove His divinity ("if You are the Son of God..."), He refused to abuse His power ("do not put the Lord your God to the test", refusing to turn stones to bread), and would not indulge in shortcuts to escape suffering and gain victory ("all this I will give to You"). If the enemy thought these to be attractive tactics with the Son of God, then we ought to be aware of how our wilderness seasons generate unique opportunities for spiritual warfare.
Name a wilderness you have been through or someone you know has been through. Note the areas of insecurity experienced. How can standing firm in identity, position and righteousness resolve insecurity?
Think about your own preparation for the wilderness. What areas do you recognize to be in need of strengthening?
If we are honest, we all make mistakes. Putting aside our inner critic, can you recall a time you can share that depicts your own folly of being unprepared?
Isaiah 43:18-21 Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Historical Wilderness
God has a very distinct plan and purpose for sending His people into the wilderness. He is Lord over the wilderness, calling us to it and releasing us from it. In the wilderness He purges disbelief, increases our dependence on Him, teaches us His ways/law, cleanses us from fear, tears down the altars of our idolatry, and enlarges us for the battles ahead. This is exactly what God did with His people in the 40 years between Egypt and The Promised Land. When insecurity and distrust debilitated His people from following Him, He provided the wilderness experience to cleanse them. The 40 years of wandering in the desert was the preparation that would enable them to inherit the blessing.
**Deuteronomy contains the historical records of the sin and redemption of God's people through the wilderness.
If time permits between concluding the teaching and the prayer, take a moment to prayerfully and worshipfully listen to this song "You Are Making New Wine"
8:10 Minutes Long
Prayer: God, You are Master and Sovereign over all, even periods of wilderness wandering. Give us Your light so we can examine ourselves and see our weaknesses so we can hand them over to You. By Your loving hand, we trust You to lead us to refuges of fortification. You know our weak frame and our anxious thoughts, so lead us according to Your lovingkindness. If it is Your will to lead us to a wilderness, we trust that it is for our benefit, for You work all things for our good. Amen
**Suffering References
Attitude Toward Suffering
Not ashamed Ro 1:16, 2 Ti 1:8
Commit your soul to Him 1 Pe 4:19
Rejoice Ro 12:12
Endure 1 Co 4:12, 2 Ti 4:5, 2:3
Patience 2 Co 6:4, Ro 12:12
Partake 2 Ti 1:8
Stay put 1 Th 3:3
Don't think it strange 1 Pe 4:12-13
Know your work will be tested 1 Co 3:11-14
Summary of attitude 2 Co 4:16-18
**Suffering References
Benefits of Suffering, Pt 1
Faith is tested: 1 Pe 1:7
Able to comfort others: 2 Co 1:3-4, Heb 12:12-13
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