Wilderness moments.
Times when you question your faith.
Times when you doubt.
Times filled with hurt.
Times when you wander.
Times when you’re tempted.
Difficult times.
Bleak times.
Downright discouraging times.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
Take a closer look at the above verse.
Who led Christ into the wilderness? Did you catch that it was the Spirit?
When I read that verse and saw who was responsible for the difficult times that Jesus was about to endure, it gave me such great comfort to know that is was the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. The Son of the Most High God. The Messiah. The Savior of the world. His faith and allegiance to God was about to be tested.
Reading that verse helped me to know that my own wilderness moments were not only allowed by God but they were appointed by Him as well.
Here’s what I have learned to take with me while in the wilderness:
The 4 Essentials You Need When You’re in the Wildnerness
1. The Guidebook
You need God’s Holy Word, the Bible, to guide and direct you in your times of fear, doubt, hurting, temptation, and despair. Read it. Embrace its promises. Hide it in your heart. Breathe it in, make it your life and let it define who you are.
The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11
2. Spiritual Shelter
Run to God and keep running to Him for protection. He will strengthen you from the harsh elements and ravenous attacks.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah Psalm 61:4
And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain. Isaiah 4:6
3. Living Water
It is vital for you to cling to Jesus Christ during times of great weakness. Only He can satisfy your soul.
“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14
4. An Eternal Perspective
You will feel defeated and possibly lose your way if you’re constantly looking at your temporary circumstances. This time here on earth is not forever.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3
Do you happen to know what took place and what was said to Jesus right before He was led into the wilderness?
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
I believe the Son of Man had a mountaintop experience when He heard his Father speak those words.
Mountaintop experiences are usually followed by times in the wilderness.
After Satan tempted Jesus this is what happened next…
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:11
Make sure you hold tight to the 4 Essentials when the Spirit leads you into the wilderness and don’t forget that in God’s timing, you’ll be ministered to you as well!
Live a poured out life for Christ,
Jolene Engle
