When we think about the wilderness we are drawn towards the Exodus of the Israelites towards the promised land. It is believed there was a shorter route to Canaan but interestingly God led them through the wilderness. There they faced many challenges and more often than not their relationship with God was always hanging on the balance. One minute they are worshipping Him, the next they’re complaining or worshiping idols. I know that if given a chance to map out any journey, I would take the easiest , shortest, and less challenging route. So, why not take the easiest path to Canaan? Why go through the wilderness?

The answer is simple. It is so that the Israelites would know without a shadow of a doubt that God is with them no matter the circumstances. The harshness of the wilderness provided the appropriate factors needed to create an unshakable belief in them of the presence of God. You will notice all through the journey time and again God tries to tell them over and over that He is with them – through the Ark of the Covenant, pillar of cloud, and the pillar of fire. He knew that they needed to have His presence embedded in them regardless of what was around them.

I most definitely feel like I am in the wilderness when suffering comes forth especially in the form of financial troubles or disease. At times like this is when I question God’s presence in my life; it is more like I feel alienated from Him. When we internalize our suffering, we deem ourselves victims and wear the robes of self-pity. It is interesting that when we internalize God companionship we tend to do so when life is going smoothly. It is as though we believe that He estranged when we are facing suffering or life challenges. As such, we tend to pray and ask Him to reveal his goodness by alleviating our suffering so that we can label him as being a good God.

However, you will notice that God sufficiently provided for the Israelites the whole time they were in the desert just as he does when when we are undergoing suffering.

“Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already – you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.” Isaiah 43:19

Now, take note that when Christ is born, He is called Immanuel which means God with us. God’s assertion of His presence in the wilderness is still imminent even in the New Covenant. I believe that such an emphasis in the New and Old Testament was God’s way of letting us know that He has never left us despite the wilderness we go through in life. It is important to understand that the wilderness is not a limiting factor for God. In fact it is a place where He yearns for us to lean on Him so that He can reveal his authority just as seen in the Exodus.

The wilderness represents God’s molding place for believers, a place where we can create a deep connection with Him. It provides the right environment needed to shift our mentality from that of slavery to that of free people. This means that through such suffering we develop a tolerant behavior of sticking by God no matter the circumstances and in doing so we create a tendency to always surrender to Him. Our attitude is renewed from bondage or captivity to that of partnership with God. Essentially, the wilderness is of God for us.