June 14, 2020 | Matt Ware

Podcast | Spotify

Everyone goes through wilderness seasons in their lives, but MOSES was a wilderness expert! From 40 years alone in one wilderness to 40 years of leading Israel through another, his story shows us the power of the journey through the wilderness; it shapes us, develops us and forms us into the people God has called us to be. A look at the life of MOSES reveals that the wilderness isn’t something we just endure; it’s something we can embrace!

The Why of the Wilderness

James 1:2-4 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

3 benefits of the wilderness

1. The wilderness EXAMINES us

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) 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.

2. The wilderness EQUIPS us

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

3. The wilderness EMPOWERS us

Luke 4:1, 14 (ESV) And Jesus, FULL of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness … 14 And Jesus returned in the POWER of the Spirit.

Acts 10:38 (ESV) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Exodus 13:18 (ESV) God led the people around by the way of the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 32:10-12 (ESV) He found him (the nation of Israel) in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye … 12 the Lord alone guided him.