why the wilderness matters
The wilderness serves as a fascinating backdrop in Scripture, as it is hard to find another setting in the Bible that conveys as much meaning, significance, and complexity as the wilderness motif. A key aspect of the wilderness is its inhospitable nature—by definition, it is seen as disorderly. However, it is used as a powerful metaphor throughout Scripture to illustrate the presence of the Lord in the lives of His people.
There are many ways we find ourselves in the wilderness. Still, the truth remains: wilderness seasons present opportunities to grow stronger through the Lord's presence in our lives, or we can drift further into the wilderness and lose our sense of identity.
Ask yourself this question: What if the wilderness you’re in right now isn’t evidence of God’s absence, but proof of His love — shaping you for the purpose He’s preparing ahead?
We often associate the wilderness with a place of punishment. Examining the story of Adam and Eve, it appears they were banished from the Garden of Eden because they chose to seek wisdom in their own way and at their own time, which was a direct deviation from what God had spoken into their lives. If we examine the story of the fall closely, we see a God who is merciful, generous, and protective. The cost of disobeying God in the garden was death (Gen 2:17). Yet, even when they fell short of God's standard, He is merciful and does not condemn them to death. Instead, He shows mercy and spares their lives. He also covers their shame with grace (Gen 3:21). His final act of mercy and grace was to banish them from the garden to prevent them from living forever (Gen 3:22-23). What seems like a dire situation for Adam and Eve—being banished from the Garden—is actually an act of compassion from God, aimed at providing for and caring for them. Yes, their actions led to their exile in the wilderness, but it was God who granted them His presence, even when it felt like He was far away.
The wilderness, then, is not always a place of punishment or God’s rejection; oftentimes, it is a sign of His mercy. When we step into the wilderness, as Adam and Eve did, and as the Israelites did, God’s presence is with us. In the book of Deuteronomy, we are reminded that God led the Israelites in the wilderness to humble and test them (Deut 8:2). It was a time of preparation for the Israelites as they readied themselves to inhabit the Promised Land.
Wilderness seasons present themselves as a way to prepare for what is next in our lives. When Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tested by Satan, it was for the purpose of preparing Him for his earthly ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). In the wilderness, His identity as the Son of God was challenged and ultimately confirmed. The enemy sought to distort the purpose of Jesus, but through His trust and obedience in His wilderness season, Jesus confirmed that He was the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Son of God.
As it was with Jesus, wilderness seasons in our own lives are not wasted. It is a time, if we are open to the presence of God, that can shape our faith and deepen our trust. The wilderness may appear barren on the surface, but God is working deep within us to mold and shape us, drawing us closer and closer to the image of God. The Israelites entered the wilderness as formerly enslaved people but emerged as the chosen people of God. Jesus left the wilderness, demonstrating to the enemy what the Son of God is capable of in a place where the human and divine realms intersect.
The wilderness will expose what we rely on in life when it is stripped down to the essentials. It tests whether we are rooted in the character of Christ. The wilderness is excellent at testing our trust and faith in the presence of God. Wilderness seasons are not comfortable, but they are meant to be that way. However, we can be certain that they are formative. Here, in this place of desolation, we find our dependence on God. It is in this formative space that Scripture becomes more than just words; it becomes the daily bread of the living word. We find that in moments of struggle and silence, His presence is just as near as if we were on a mountaintop.
You might currently feel like you’re in a wilderness, with an uncertain path or a longer-than-expected season. Remind yourself: the same God who accompanied Adam and Eve outside the garden, led Israel with cloud and fire, and supported Jesus through temptation is also with you. He has not forsaken you — He is shaping you and preparing you for what lies ahead.
