In the Wilderness

What It Means to Be “In the Wilderness”

There’s something sacred about the wilderness. Not just the physical kind—the dry deserts or empty plains—but the spiritual kind. Those seasons of life where you feel lost, weary, unseen, or unsure what God is doing.

If you’ve ever felt like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, like your blessings dried up, or like you’re wandering with no direction—you’ve been in the wilderness.

But take heart. The wilderness is not a punishment. It’s a process. It’s not where God abandons you—it’s often where He does His deepest work.

When we think of the word “wilderness” in this context, our minds often picture a harsh, empty place — dry sand stretching for miles, cracked ground underfoot, and a sky that feels too big and eerily silent. A place where there’s no map, no comfort, and no clear path forward.

That image is fitting, because the physical wilderness in Scripture really was a place of barrenness, isolation, and exposure. It was where people ran out of food, water, and strength — and had to depend entirely on God.

But in the Bible, “wilderness” doesn’t just describe geography. The Hebrew word midbar and the Greek erēmos both mean a deserted or solitary place — yet they also carry a deeper meaning: a place of meeting and speaking.

In fact, midbar is closely related to the word dabar, meaning “to speak.”

So the wilderness, as empty as it seems, is often where God speaks the loudest.

And the truth is, wilderness seasons aren’t always physical. They can be emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial. It’s when comfort disappears, clarity feels distant, and all that’s left is trust.

It’s that “middle ground” between where you were and where you’re going — the in-between where God shapes your faith, refines your heart, and draws you closer to Him.

Biblical Examples of Wilderness Seasons:

Throughout the Bible, the wilderness appears again and again—not as an accident, but as a holy classroom.

• Israel’s 40 Years of Wandering – After being delivered from Egypt, God led His people “by way of the wilderness” (Exodus 13:18). Deuteronomy 8:2 explains the purpose: “to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart.” The wilderness exposed their unbelief but also revealed God’s faithfulness.

• Moses in Midian – Before he ever led Israel, Moses spent decades in the wilderness tending sheep. There, stripped of power and position, he learned humility—and it was in that solitude that he met God in the burning bush (Exodus 3).

• Elijah’s Desert Moment – After his victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled into the wilderness, exhausted and afraid. Under a broom tree, he begged God to end his life—but in that stillness, God refreshed him and spoke in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19).

• Hagar and Ishmael – Cast out and desperate, Hagar wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. God met her there, opened her eyes to a well, and promised His care (Genesis 21).

• John the Baptist – He lived in the wilderness, preparing hearts for the Messiah’s coming (Luke 3:2–4).

Every one of them walked through desolation on the way to destiny.

Even Jesus had time in the wilderness!

No one understands the wilderness like Jesus. Right after His baptism—when the heavens opened and the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17)—the very next verse says:

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

That detail matters: the Spirit led Him there, but the devil tempted Him there. God orchestrated the season; Satan exploited it.

For forty days Jesus fasted and prayed. Hungry, alone, and vulnerable, He faced temptation head-on: to turn stones into bread, to test God’s protection, and to bow to Satan in exchange for power (Matthew 4:3–10). Each time, Jesus resisted—not with emotion, but with Scripture: “It is written…”

He showed us that the wilderness isn’t a place of defeat—it’s a place of dependence. It’s where we learn that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Luke tells us that Jesus entered the wilderness “full of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4:1), but when He returned, He came out “in the power of the Spirit.” (Luke 4:14). The wilderness didn’t weaken Him—it prepared Him. It was the bridge between His calling and His ministry.

And maybe that’s what the wilderness is for us too—a time of spiritual preparation for what’s coming next.

Hebrews 4:15 reminds us,

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

If you feel unseen, tired, or tested, remember: your Savior has walked this road. He knows what it feels like to be hungry, lonely, and tempted, and He came out victorious!

Your wilderness isn’t wasted. Like Jesus, you’re being refined, strengthened, and readied for what’s next. I’m telling this to myself too!

Does God Test Us?

If Jesus faced testing in the wilderness, it’s fair to ask if God tests us too.

The answer is yes, but not in the way we sometimes think. God never tempts us to sin. James 1:13 makes that clear:

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one.”

Temptation’s goal is to make us fall. Testing’s goal is to make us stand.

God does allow testing—moments that expose what’s in our hearts, strengthen our faith, and refine our character.

Testing is about proving, not punishing.

Just as fire refines gold, testing reveals the purity of our faith. Peter wrote,

“The testing of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7)

When Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, God wasn’t setting Him up to fail—He was revealing His perfection, obedience, and absolute dependence on the Father.

In a similar way, our tests aren’t designed to destroy us; they’re meant to develop us.

If Jesus is God, you might wonder like I did — how could God be tested? Wouldn’t that mean He’s testing Himself?

It’s a good and honest question. The answer lies in the mystery of the incarnation — that Jesus is both fully God and fully human.

John 1:1 tells us, “The Word was God,” and verse 14 says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

When Jesus came to earth, He didn’t stop being God — He added humanity to His divinity. Philippians 2:6–8 explains that though He was equal with God, He “emptied Himself,” meaning He laid aside the privileges of divinity to live as a human dependent on the Father and the Holy Spirit.

So when Jesus was tested, it wasn’t God testing Himself. It was the Father allowing the Son, in His humanity, to face and overcome temptation just as we must — yet without sin.

Where Adam failed in the garden, Jesus triumphed in the desert. His testing didn’t reveal weakness; it revealed divine strength through perfect human obedience. This fact inspires me so much!

Hebrews 4:15 says,

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Because Jesus walked through temptation as a man, He can truly understand, comfort, and strengthen us. And because He is God, His victory is eternal and complete.

The wilderness was never about exposing Jesus’ flaws — it was about revealing His faithfulness.

If God allows you to walk through a wilderness season, it’s not because He’s cruel—it’s because He’s forming something deeper within you. Knowing this has helped shift my perspective during difficult times, though I still fall short and struggle at times in my imperfect ways.

Here’s what Scripture shows us about its purpose:

1. Refinement – Deuteronomy 8:2 says the wilderness exposes what’s in your heart. It burns away pride, idols, and false security until what remains is pure faith.

2. Dependence – When you can’t rely on comfort, you learn to rely on God. The wilderness is where you discover He is enough.

3. Preparation – Before Moses led Israel, before David became king, before Jesus began His ministry—they all faced wilderness seasons. God uses the dry places to prepare us for the fruitful ones.

4. Intimacy – When the noise fades, His voice grows clearer. The wilderness often becomes the place of deepest encounter.

5. Testing – Like Israel, we’re tested “to know what is in our hearts.” The wilderness asks: will you trust God when you can’t see the promise?

6. Renewed Identity – Stripped of titles and distractions, you rediscover who you are in Christ—not what you do, not who others say you are.

What should we do if we find ourselves in a wilderness season?

The Bible gives us practical and spiritual ways to walk through the desert well:

• Be honest with God. The Psalms are full of raw wilderness prayers—David didn’t fake faith; he cried out. God can handle your honesty.

• Keep seeking Him, even when you don’t feel Him. Don’t stop reading, praying, or worshiping. Faith is forged in perseverance.

• Remember what He’s already done. Recall past faithfulness. If He’s led you through before, He’ll do it again.

• Obey the next step. God rarely gives the whole map, but He will give the next step. Move in obedience, even if it’s small.

• Stay humble and teachable. Don’t harden your heart like Israel did (Psalm 95:8). The wilderness is about surrender.

• Lean on others if you can. Even Moses had Aaron and Hur to lift his arms when he grew weary.

• Wait well. God’s timing is perfect. Don’t rush the lesson He’s teaching you.

• Expect growth. You won’t come out the same—you’ll come out stronger, softer, and wiser.

  
  

When you’re in a wilderness season, it’s easy to believe you’re alone. But Scripture reminds us that you’re walking a road that God’s people have traveled for generations — and He is walking it with you.

Moses, David, Elijah, Hagar, John the Baptist, Israel, and even Jesus Himself all faced wilderness seasons. Every one of them encountered God there.

Psalm 34:18 promises,

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

And Isaiah 43:2 assures us,

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.”

You are not forsaken; you are being formed. Even if it’s silent right now, He hasn’t left you. You’re not wandering—you’re being led. Again, I’m saying this to myself right now.

One of my favorite verses about the wilderness comes from Isaiah 43:19:

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

That’s God’s heart—to bring beauty out of barrenness, rivers out of dust, life out of emptiness. I’ve read that scripture almost daily, for over 4 years and it brings me SO much hope!

If you’re in the wilderness right now, hold on. It’s not the end of your story—it’s the part where roots go deep. The soil might feel dry, but something is growing beneath the surface.

The wilderness is the place where pride dies, faith deepens, and God becomes real again.

So if you find yourself in that season—feeling dry, waiting on breakthrough, wondering where He is—remember this:

You’re in good company. Moses was there. Elijah was there. Israel was there. Jesus Himself was there. Every single one of them came out changed and so will you.

🕊️ The wilderness can feel like a lonely, confusing place—but it can also become sacred ground. Below are a few questions and Scriptures to help you process, pray, and listen for God’s voice during your own wilderness season.

You don’t have to rush through them. Sit with them. Journal. Pray. Let God meet you right where you are.

1. Acknowledge Where You Are

“You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness.” — Deuteronomy 8:2

Reflection Prompt:

Where in your life do you currently feel like you’re in a wilderness—spiritually, emotionally, or circumstantially?

What has been hardest about this season?

What has God been quietly revealing to you in the silence?

2. Remember God’s Faithfulness

“I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:19

Reflection Prompt:

When has God come through for you before in impossible situations?

Write down a few moments where He made “a way” when you couldn’t see one.

How can remembering those times help you trust Him now?

3. Release Control and Trust

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4

Reflection Prompt:

What are you holding onto that’s keeping you from trusting God completely?

What would it look like to depend fully on His Word in this season?

4. Look for Purpose in the Process

“The testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” — James 1:3

Reflection Prompt:

What do you think God might be forming in you through this time?

How could this wilderness be preparing you for something greater ahead?

5. Rest in the Promise

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14

Reflection Prompt:

What might “being still” look like for you right now?

How can you rest in the truth that God is working even when you can’t see it?

Let’s Pray,

Father, thank You for meeting me in the wilderness. When I feel lost, remind me that You are leading. When I am weary, refresh my heart with Your Word. Help me to trust that this season is not wasted—that You are refining, strengthening, and preparing me for what’s ahead. I choose to believe that even here, You are good. Amen.