So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a new leader and return to Egypt.”; “Tomorrow turn and set out for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea.” Numbers 14:4,25 (Amplified)

It’s so easy to read about the Israelites and think, ‘Man, they are so blind, so ungrateful’, but in reality we are so very much like them. In these verses, they are yet again complaining. The spies have just gone over into the land promised to them by the LORD. Out of the twelve, ten of them come back saying, “We can’t do this! We can’t win against these giants! We will never be able to take the land!” Upon hearing this, the Israelites decide they would be better off going back to Egypt, where they spent their lives in slavery! So what does God do? He sends them into the wilderness. But why?

I think God uses the wilderness for many reasons. Not just thousands of years ago with the Israelites but today for us too. Earlier in this story, we are told that instead of sending the people on the shortest, most direct route to the Promised Land, God sent them on a roundabout way through the wilderness. God knew this was the best plan of action because the shortest way would take them straight through the land of the Philistines and there would be a great battle. Their faith was so weak, God knew if He allowed them to go that way, their fear and discouragement would make them turn back to Egypt. (Exodus 13:17-18) He uses the wilderness to protect us even when we don’t know we need protecting. But He also uses the wilderness to help us see Him more clearly. Just think of all the Israelites saw and experienced in their journey through the wilderness. They were fed with manna straight from Heaven. Their thirst was quenched with water from a rock. They were reminded of the LORD’s presence with a cloud by day and a fire by night. This same cloud and fire also served to guide them when and where they were supposed to go.

God also uses the wilderness to help us realize how much we need Him. The wilderness gives us the opportunity to draw closer to Him and as we do, we begin to understand that He is all we really need. Sometimes, we end up in the wilderness by our own choices but a lot of the time, God sends us there. It may not be a fun place to be and for the most part, it’s not an easy place to be. But God knows there are times, when it’s the best place for us to be. It is in our wilderness that God will do some of His best work.

I am a recovering addict and alcoholic. When God saved me 6 years ago, He had to get me out of the place I was in, spiritually, emotionally and physically. And do you know where He brought me? Back home, to my parent’s house. I can’t tell you how many times as an adult I said I would never go back home to live… You’ve heard it said, “Never say never”, well, I really think sometimes God hears that and actually laughs and says, “Really, just watch this.” It was hard coming back home after being grown and out on my own. But God knew in order for me stay sober and for Him to be able to do the work in me He had planned, I needed this. My faith was weak and God knew that just like the Israelites, I would have been quick to turn back to the life I had known for years if He didn’t put me in exactly the right place. It’s not where I would have chosen but looking back, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Being back home, I have been able to pay off so much debt. I have had time to spend with my family, time that I had skipped out on while being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. My family has gotten to know me as the new creation that I am in Christ.

But most of all, God has used this time to show me who He is. I have had the time to really get alone with God, to study His Word, to seek and find an intimacy with my LORD and Savior that I might have otherwise missed out on. It’s been 6 years and I am still at my parents, I am still single and I am still waiting on certain relationships to be restored. There are days when I do feel as if God has left me in my own wilderness. I get sad and discouraged. I feel lonely and sometimes angry. It’s not wrong to feel these things. God knows us, He remembers that we are dust. Some days are really hard but I know who holds my future. I know that my God has a plan and a purpose for me. And I know, this “wilderness” is not where He intends for me to stay. It is only for a season. As I wait and hope in Him, I trust that He has me exactly where I am supposed to be. I know that He is always working and I know that He’s not done yet. “And I am certain of this, He who has started a good work in me, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

So here I am God, teach me what I need to learn in this wilderness experience.