After His baptism, Jesus saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. Then He heard the Father saying, ‘You are my beloved Son, and I am very pleased with you.’ Notice carefully what happened next—“Immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the WILDERNESS. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him” (Mark 1:12-13).
The wilderness is a wasteland or desolate place, which is referenced 305 times in Scripture. Israel was punished in the wilderness. John the Baptist ministered in the wilderness. And it was the Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness.
It seems that scores of Christians are facing a wilderness experience, of one sort or another. These barren wastelands are times of great trial where it seems all hell is let loose. Aphra White describes as follows, “It is a time when we realize our soul is caught in a net, and we know God is allowing us to be gripped by the Devil’s hand. Yet, it is a period that always ends in certain triumph for those who have committed the keeping of their souls to God.” Though extremely difficult, we cannot afford to waste our wilderness.
THE WAY “INTO” THE WILDERNESS
There are different routes into the wilderness. Here are three possible on-ramps to your wasteland.
Sometimes your wilderness is Spirit-induced. This was what occurred with Christ—the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness. This was a God-thing. It was engineered by the Spirit. He initiated, and oversaw the timing and the activities in Jesus’ wilderness.
Other times your wilderness is Self-induced. As in Israel’s case, it was unbelief that landed them there. But it was disobedience that kept them there. God’s plan was to get them out of Egypt, and into the Promised Land. But they failed the test. Israel was overthrown in the wilderness, while Jesus overcame in the wilderness. Like the rebellious Israelites, sometimes we can enter a wilderness of our own making.
Still, other times your wilderness is Satan-induced. Catherine Booth observes, “It stands to sense, if there is a Devil, that he should desperately withstand those whom he sees are going to be used of God. Supposing you were the Devil and had set your heart on circumventing God, how would you do it but by opposing those who were bent on building up His Kingdom? He tries the wilderness experience on every true son of the Father—depend on it.”
THE WAY “THROUGH” THE WILDERNESS
Jesus had no food—He fasted 40 days. Jesus had no fun—He was continually tempted by the Devil. What happens in the wilderness is an unrelenting series of difficulties. Of all that could be said, it must be said that the wilderness is a…
Place of Suffering. The only company Jesus had was Satan, wild animals, and angels. Jesus was led into this place of hardship. There was no Ritz, Hampton Inn, or even Motel 6 in the wilderness. It was awful and desolate. Your wilderness will not be pleasant either. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).
Place of Uncertainty. Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness, and Jesus spent 40 days there. When you find yourself in your wilderness, you don’t know what to expect, or how long it may last. You seldom know how you got there, much less how to get out!
Place of Loneliness. Jesus was alone: no friends and no disciples. “ALONE” is a popular TV program where individuals live off the land in primitive conditions in the Alaskan wilderness. The program is a competition where the person who stays the longest wins $500K. The contestants volunteer for the chance to win, but nobody volunteers for the isolation in a spiritual wilderness.
Place of Loss. When Jesus entered the wilderness He left the comfort of His home and family. Your wilderness may include the loss of energy, relationships, hope, vision, and even a sense of well-being and purpose.
Place of Disorientation. All the familiar landmarks are removed—you are in uncharted territory. There are no instructions, or maps, or information packets. When you enter Yellowstone National Park you pay an entrance fee. You don’t pay to enter a spiritual wilderness, but you would gladly pay to get out! Depression is spiritual and emotional disorientation. It’s winter time without Christmas.
Place of Deprivation. “And in those days he did eat nothing…” (Luke 4:2). One man described a wilderness experience like this—“A wilderness experience is usually thought of as a tough time in which a believer endures discomfort and trials. The pleasant things of life are unable to be enjoyed, or they may be absent altogether, and one feels a lack of encouragement.” It can involve a spiritual, financial, or an emotional drought. Intensified temptation seems to be part of the wilderness curriculum.
Place of Testing. The word tempt carries the idea of proving, enticing, and scrutinizing. Jesus endured 40 days temptation by the Devil. Not 40 minutes, not 4 hours, not 4 days, or even 4 weeks; but 40 days. For us the testing may include feeling discouraged, hurt, out of our control, unpleasant, cold, easily offended, and critical. The sky seems dark even when the sun is out. Phrases like, “It’s been one thing after another after another” are often uttered in the wilderness. It’s the feeling of sinking in water, and barely catching your next breath.
THE WAY “OUT OF” THE WILDERNESS…
It was the Spirit of God that led Jesus into wilderness, and it was the Spirit who ultimately led Him out! What we learn in the wilderness is more important than getting out of the wilderness. The journey through the wilderness provides lessons we could never learn any other way.
The wilderness can be a place of revealing truth about ourselves. The testing exposes our true spiritual condition. It reveals what we know versus what we do. Before you ask God to get you out of the wilderness, ask what He wants you to get out of the Wilderness.
The wilderness can be a place of spiritual discipline. Once the truth about ourselves becomes apparent, it may be followed by discipline (Heb. 12:5-8). Only we know the sin and sinfulness which has transpired while in the wilderness.
The wilderness can be a season of refining before fruitfulness. Never assume you’re in the wilderness because God is done with you. It might be the very place where He’s refining, equipping, and training you for something significant. Warren Wiersbe said, “The Devil tempts us to bring out the worst in us, but the Father tests us to bring out the best in us.”
The wilderness can be a place where our first love is restored, and our idols smashed. In the wilderness, distractions are removed and space is provided to experience the goodness of God. Quietness and seclusion is a place where God draws near to us, cares for us, and satisfies us with His love. “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deut. 32:10).
The wilderness can be a time for renewed dependence. Jesus immediately started His ministry after time in wilderness. It was there where angels waited on Him, and helped Him recover. After that His earthly ministry began. The stripping away of our closest treasures helps us to relearn dependence on God, and gratefulness to the Lord.
The wilderness has an end. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, and then it was over. Do you feel like you are in the wilderness? If so, I’ve got good news for you… DAY 41 IS COMING! Every wilderness has a beginning, and hallelujah, every wilderness has an ending. Jesus passed the test, and you can too. At some point, your wilderness will end.
So how should we respond to the wilderness?
First, lean into it. Stop looking for the quick exit.
Second, ask God what is He trying to teach you, and how can you be refined.
Third, don’t blame the devil for what God has led you into.
Fourth, if you are in the wilderness… DON’T WASTE IT. It’s more important to learn the lessons in the wilderness than to get out of the wilderness.
Fifth, never forget a better day is coming. Day 41 will happen!
And above all, DON’T WASTE YOUR WILDERNESS!
Harold Vaughan
*Our pastor, Mark Harvey, preached a classic sermon called Don’t Waste Your Wilderness. The Lord spoke to me, and many others who were present that day. His message is the inspiration and foundation for this article.
