How was your summer?

Here is a little bit about mine: my family welcomed our seventh child into the world at the end of May.

Yes, you read that correctly — our seventh child.

My wife is amazing and resilient and steadfast and an amazing mother, but the last four months have been some of the hardest of her life. She has suffered through many challenges stemming from post-partum hormonal imbalances elevated by perimenopause and manifesting in severe insomnia, panic episodes, bouts of anxiety and depression, spiritual and mental battles and to top it all off, the resurgence of a knee injury.

It just so happened that both a devotional and a podcast I’ve had in front of me this summer were about the “wilderness” experiences in the Bible, and it’s been a reminder of where God is in all of this. 

Wilderness experiences are a theme for God’s people throughout the Bible.  But anybody who pays attention would know it is more than a physical place. It is a symbol of trial, waiting and dependence on God.

For Christians today, wilderness seasons may not mean wandering in deserts or hiding in caves, but the feeling is similar: times when life feels dry, uncertain and overwhelming. Yet, when we look at the stories of God’s people, we see that the wilderness is not wasted — it is often the very place where God shapes, strengthens and can sometimes prepare His children for greater purpose. 

The Israelites: Learning dependence

After God’s miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites did not immediately enter the Promised Land. Instead, they found themselves in the desert, learning day by day to rely on God for food, water and direction.

Manna fell from heaven, water flowed from a rock and a pillar of cloud and fire guided them. It was not an easy season — there were doubts, complaints, and failures. But it was in the wilderness that Israel discovered that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Deut. 8:3). 

God reminds them to be strong and courageous and that he will never leave or forsake them. Our wilderness moments often strip away the illusion of self-sufficiency. They remind us, like Israel, that we are sustained not by our own strength but by the daily provision of God. 

David: Finding refuge in God

Before David became king, he spend many days running for his life. Fleeing from King Saul, he hid in caves and desolate places. Yet those years of fear and uncertainty gave birth to some of the most beautiful psalms of trust. “The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1).

David’s wilderness season trained him to find his refuge not in fortresses or armies but in God Himself. For believers today, when enemies are not kings but perhaps anxiety, loss or broken relationships, David’s testimony shows us that the wilderness can forge faith.

The solitude and struggle can push us closer to the heart of God, where true safety is found.

Jesus: Victory through testing

Perhaps the most powerful wilderness story is that of Jesus. After His baptism, the Spirit led Him into the desert where He fasted forty days and faced the full force of temptation from the devil. Hungry, tired and alone, Jesus resisted every lie with the truth of God’s Word. His victory in the wilderness was the foundation for His public ministry.

Let’s give credit where it’s due. Jesus had the strength of being fully God. We would certainly not be able to endure in the same way, but it shows us that wilderness seasons are not signs of God’s abandonment but often evidence of His preparation.

If the Son of God was tested and emerged victorious, then we, too, can face trials with hope. In Him, we have an example and a Savior who knows our weakness and intercedes for us.

When we find ourselves in a wilderness remember these truths:

• Like Israel, God provides daily grace even when the journey feels long.
• Like David, God becomes our refuge when every other support is stripped away.
• Like Jesus, we can stand firm because the Word of God equips you for victory.

The wilderness is never the end of the story. For Israel, it was the pathway to the Promised Land. For David, it led to the throne. For Jesus, it was the doorway to His ministry of salvation.

My wife is not out of the wilderness yet, but we have seen some very encouraging progress the last few weeks. One thing the Lord has shown us, is how amazing our community has been coming around us to support us.

We are hopeful that God is shaping her for something greater than she can imagine, and we can only hope the same for any of you currently in the wilderness or with that coming in your future.  

David Pressgrove is the Area Director of Bear River Young Live. He can be reached at ylbear_river@yahoo.com