In Luke 4v1-13 we find Jesus "led by the Spirit in the wilderness," where he was tempted by the devil." The Biblical concept of "wilderness" is different from what we usually think of when we talk about "wilderness." Biblically, "wilderness" is not "a wild, wonderful, beautiful, unspoiled place" where you can enjoy the splendor of nature, untouched by human hands." When it says that Jesus was led by the Spirit "into the wilderness", it does not mean that the Spirit was bringing Jesus on a back-to-nature kind of vacation.
Biblical "wilderness" refers to the times in life when we are confronted with trials and difficulties and challenges; when life gets complicated, and we don't know where to turn. When everything around us seems to be against us; when life feels hopeless, and disheartening. Wilderness is: being unemployed; not able to find a decent job. Wilderness is: an illness, that doesn't seem to get better. Wilderness is: a relationship where the love seems to be gone, and you can't seem to get the joy, the respect, the tenderness back into the relationship. Wilderness is: when a job brings no joy or fulfillment, and no prospect of it ever getting better. Wilderness is: being stuck in a situation where you can't exercise the ability to chose. Wilderness is: feeling sad or hopeless, and not knowing why, or what to do about it. A Biblical wilderness is: feeling as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders, and you have no way of getting out from under it.
So what is wilderness for you? What are the things that make you feel strung out and alone? What are the trials that drive you to despair and hopelessness? What are the complications that frustrate you, and cause you to doubt God, yourself, and others? So when facing 'a wilderness' in life, and the temptations that come with it, what do you do? What Jesus did, will come as no surprise, He prayed. And that is, I believe, at the heart of what Jesus was doing as he struggled, and wrestled in the "wilderness" for forty days, He PRAYED. Every answer, every insight that Jesus had, came not from within himself, but from the fact that he was a student of the scripture that he had been raised in.
My friends, God does answer prayer, but prayer is not magic. Prayer is not us telling God what to do and even if we ask with the proper intensity and sincerity, God will give us what we want. No. Prayer is the seeking of a wisdom, an insight that is deeper than what we presently have. If I think I have all the wisdom and insight I'll ever need in life, for everything I will face, then, I don't pray. There's no point because I already know all the answers. If I've got the answer, I don't need to waste my time or God's, by praying.
But, if I am in a wilderness place, and don't know where to turn, God is there, not necessarily with quick and easy answers, but God is there; offering us direction, and clarity, and meaning, and purpose, and hope, and joy, and fulfillment. And what we have to do in the process: is to listen. Actively listen, to the wisdom and insight of scripture, actively listen to that still small voice of God, that continues to be present. He promised never to leave us nor forsake us so we go through these moments in order for us to learn something and be disciplined such that ultimately we will depend only on God. These moments also never last forever so be encouraged today, make the right prayer when you find yourself in a wilderness and always stick to scriptures because people are around us will bring alternatives to you.
Stay Blessed
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