Blessings In The Wilderness

The wilderness season is a time of transformation and preparation for the next season of our lives. It allows us to develop our character, heal from old wounds, strengthen our faith and cultivate dependency on God. God knows what is best for us. He gives good gifts and ensures we are prepared to receive them. For example, we can’t be blessed with a new home if we don’t have the proper character to build a home and manage the financial responsibility that comes with it. But so many times we look at our wilderness season with groans and murmurs that we miss the blessings of God. Take for example the children of Israel (Exodus 15-Numbers 14).

‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing’

– Philippians 2:14 (NIV)

God blessed the children of Israel throughout the wilderness, but they complained so much about the conditions they were in and how long things seemed to be taking. They complained so much that they missed the blessings of God that were in front of them. They forgot that God covered them with a cloud by day and fire by night. They forgot that God fed them with manna from the sky. They forgot that God gave them water from a rock. A rock! Twice! Imagine God was with them doing these things, but they were so focused on themselves rather than building a relationship with God.

‘The wilderness is preparation, not punishment’

– Dr T Richards

Reading this, we think ‘how could they not remember this and end up doubting God’, but how many times have we done the same thing? How many times have we been so focused on what is going on around us that we miss the blessings of God, big or small? God still provides and protects us even in the wilderness. He woke us up today! That itself is a blessing.

‘You are not forgotten in the wilderness; God still provides and protects’

– Dr T Richards

Our hearts should never be hardened in our wilderness season that we are unable to see and appreciate the ways God has come through. It is our time to grow internally for what is to come because seasons change! The wilderness won’t be forever.