Wilderness Survival School 101

Deuteronomy 8:2 declares, “And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.”

Before exploring this incredible verse about surviving wilderness seasons in our lives, I want to show you some other things about the wilderness.

1. Sometimes we find ourselves in a wilderness because of our circumstances, or because of our choices. But, no matter what got you there, it will only be God that gets you out! (Exodus 2:11-15)

2. Sometimes when we are about ready to go to the next level, it will be God Himself who leads you into the wilderness. Why? In order to get everything out of you that doesn't belong, so that the only thing that is left is what He wants in you! (Exodus 13:18; Matthew 4:1)

3. The wilderness is a place where God can get a person ready for what He wants them to be. It is a place that can prepare for future things. A place that can ready a people to do great and mighty exploits with their God.

Now going back to our original Scripture in Deuteronomy 8:2, we find out that the wilderness is a place......

(1) To Remember What God Has Done For Us! - If we are to be victorious in our future, it benefits us to remember how victorious we have been in our past, thanks to God.

(2) To "Humble" Us! - There is no room for haughty, know-it-alls in the Kingdom of God. If we are to be used by God, we must be humble in both our attitude towards God and people.

(3) To "Test" Us! - If we are to advance in God's Kingdom, we must be tested through each stage of our journey to prove whether or not we are ready to move into the next season of our walk with Him.

(4) Το "Know" What Is In Our Heart! - Thank God for people that do kind things, who are generous, that work in the church, etc. But the real question is, what is in your heart? Why do you do the things you do? To be seen of men? To receive recognition? What are your motives? That is what really matters – the things that are behind our actions and words.

(5) To "Know" If We Will Keep His Commandments Or Not – It's normal for most Christians to keep God's commandments when things are going smooth, but will they keep His commandments even in the hard times? Or will they buckle under the pressures that are surrounding them on all sides? Wilderness experiences will definitely find out.

Literally every single thing that is mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:2 is for YOUR benefit. I know that the wilderness can be hard. I sure have had to go through many wilderness experiences. But each and every time they were for my good, and I came out on the other side more on fire, more in love with Christ, and more anointed by His presence. And that is my prayer for you as well.