The Purpose of the Wilderness

By John Favor

Our challenges, disappointments, and setbacks can be a bridge. Though painful, in a way, these circumstances shape our character. Through them, God can draw us closer to Himself. The trials we go through during the wilderness season have the potential to grow our faith, without which achievement, freedom and fulfilment remain elusive. For this transition to generate such an outcome, we have to look at tests as a training school. When we trust God, we have the assurance to come out of the wilderness well refined. Trials are inevitable in our life journey. Out of them, our testimony emerges, and encourages others. As we stand resilient, and cross the valley of the wilderness, our trials are turned into a source of inspiration for the multitudes in dire need of hope and direction. The crossing experience builds us into valiant servants, humble ministers, and channels of truth in our community or wherever we have been commissioned. Only in this way, we can impact other people’s lives, and yield abundant harvest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Favor
• Release date: May 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463921593

Book preview

The Purpose

of the

Wilderness

The Purpose

of the

Wilderness

John Favor

Copyright © 2019 John Favor

Published by John Favor Publishing at Smashwords

First edition 2019

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked respectively AMP, CEV, ERV, KJV, NKJV, NIV, TLB are respectively taken from the Amplified Version, Contemporary English Version, Easy to Read Version, King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version and The Living Bible. Public Domain.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by the author using Reach Publishers’ services,

Edited by Frankie Kartun for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

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E-mail: [e-mail]

The Purpose of the Wilderness

We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 NCV)

Every test has a purpose and a destination. That, ultimately, it may go well with you. Thus shall I rejoice in the tribulations I face, tests and trials I go through and all the storms I come across for greater is the outcome if I faint not. (Deuteronomy 8:16 NIV)

For You, O God have proved us, You have tried, refined and purified. You brought us into the net (the prison fortress, the dungeon); You laid a heavy burden upon our loins. You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air]. (Psalm 66:10-12 Amplified)

Dedication

To my family,

For your love, your sacrifices, and for upholding the fear of God.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:2 NKJV)

God can use my weaknesses, disappointments, struggles, pain and delays for a better purpose. Christ is able to lead you out of your discouragement. And if you focus on Him, He will use times of trials in your life to bring you closer to Him. You need only to look to Him. He is willing. Make your choice. (K. P. Yohannan)

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to bring this project to completion. The response was overwhelming when the idea of supporting the publication of this Manuscript was share with some friends. They quickly and enthusiastically committed themselves to support the project. Many other people joined in. All of them have been an incredible source of encouragement during difficult times. They spoke into my life and continuously supported me in many ways. Whenever my faith was put to test and my inner peace was somehow shaken, they stood by my side. God used them constantly to refresh my confidence. My determination to soldier on was each time rekindled, and I was enabled to focus and move forward.

As a nuclear family, the Word of God remained our source of inspiration. Out of it we drew comfort, strength and refreshment. My wife and my children proved to be a pillar upon which I could lean, when my energies dwindled, and weariness threatened my focus. Many brothers and sisters in the Lord lit a candle of hope when our path was shadowed by the mist of uncertainty, and the trajectory had become marred with obstacles. We are so grateful to God for using you in availing a shoulder to lean on in trying times.

We pray that the thoughts shared herein be an inspiring testimony of which you are part of, even as it seeks to build the lives of others. We petition God to remember you, answer you when you call and bless you (Psalm 20:1-5 NKJV). He will surely reward your labour of love. Your dedication in extending a helping hand in time of need is a highly commendable example that clearly translates obedience to God’s Voice. May God Who delights in and rewards every obedient gesture, fill your hearts with joy, peace and cover you always with His Mercy. May He show you favour, and let His Countenance shine upon you all.

I wish to acknowledge those servants of God who have been continuously speaking in my life as I track in my lane and journey in my pathway. Their humility, their love, selflessness and generosity, their compassion and sacrifice for others, their determination to emulate Christ, and their commitment for effective ministry, have availed an inspiring example, direction and sustaining encouragement.

I am very grateful to all those who reviewed the Manuscript, encouraged me and supported me in every way. Without you, this project would have been a difficult task. The kind assistance of the Publishing House (all staff and departments inclusive) at every stage is much acknowledged. May the Lord reward your integrity, unconditional love, and dedication.

To those who felt encouraged by the devotionals I shared over the years, and they took it upon themselves to broadcast them, I say thank you for partnering in the Lord’s Work (Psalm 68:11 NKJV). Indeed, for the sake of the Kingdom of our Lord, we are all commissioned as a team of God’s Ambassadors. May the Lord bless you all.

Table of Contents

The Purpose of the Wilderness

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Preface

1. The Shadowed Valley

Passing Through This Valley

The Battle of the Word

Hearing and Heeding the Call

Journeying Out and Up

2. Is There a Purpose for the Wilderness?

Pruning as a Refinement Process

A Journey of Total Dependence

The Purpose of the Wilderness

3. Heading to Our Place of Appointment

No Freedom Outside Our Assignment

A Calling Rather Than a Profession

A Voice That Cannot Be Silenced

Watching to Stay on Course

4. Lessons From The Wilderness

The Reliance That Never Disappoints

Upholding the Consciousness of the Overcomer

Walking in the Spirit is a Winning Strategy

He Knows How to Make a Way.

Beyond Tears There Is Laughter

Preface

The wilderness encompasses our moments of doubt, hardships, separation, imprisonment, rejection, pain, tears and sorrow, loneliness, indecisiveness, injustice, hopelessness, homelessness, stagnation, joblessness, setbacks, poverty, ill health, fear and doubt, disappointments, discouragement, or any other adverse circumstance that hinders our progress, peace of heart or fulfilment. The wilderness can be a personal journey or a collective experience. We land in the wilderness, as a result of different circumstances. Many people, like Moses, found themselves in the wilderness due to the pull from destiny. Moses had to be a fugitive, and to live in a harsh environment before he could start his assignment. His stay in the desert, and his encounter with the Lord left him a changed man.

Other people, like David, caught up in circumstances beyond their control, found themselves in the wilderness whilst awaiting the unfolding of events that populated their pathway. Many heroes of faith went through the wilderness as a preparation for their commissioning. Whatever the case may have been for each of them, patience, sacrifice, resilience, focus and determination were their best companions to overcome whatever constituted their wilderness experience.

Journeying in the wilderness requires faith, uninterrupted dependence upon the Lord, courage, endurance, self-denial, sacrifice, selfless leadership and vision. Sojourning in the wilderness is a learning experience. The quicker we realise the factual reality that the wilderness experience has a purpose, the more enabled we will be to go through it with a positive attitude. Indeed, the process is like an incubation period for inner growth and integrity of character. Going through challenges (e.g. emotional pain, hunger, or betrayal) also carries a dimension of discovery of new layers of energy within ourselves. The inner growth experienced by many is aligned with an accelerated manifestation of God’s Promises. For this process to yield positive results, there is a need for faith and perseverance.

Many heroes of faith went through the school of the wilderness. All of them had enough faith to keep them going, even when questions without answers arose. How well-equipped we are in the Truth (i.e. the Word of God) determines to a greater extent our ability to journey in the wilderness and exit it successfully. Moreover, (obedience to) the Word of God (in us) determines our resilience level and our ability in carrying our own cross in (the valley of) the wilderness. It is this ability that impacts lives, once we are out of the wilderness, and enables us to fulfil our assignment. Freedom is the outcome of our faith, and the reward of our labour of love and committed service. May the reflections in these pages encourage each one of us. As an incubator of the inner growth and spiritual maturity, the wilderness becomes an opportunity for individual stretching and for our character to be shaped for effective ministry, and dedicated service. An outcome of this nature is a reward in itself. Indeed, our lives are not our own; rather, they are meant to serve and bless others. This is what imparts meaning and significance to any given life, and fulfils each person’s unique purpose.

Chapter One

The Shadowed Valley

So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey… (Exodus 3: 8 NIV)

The wilderness is a valley of tests. Quite often, we come face-to-face with reality. What do we do when our own reality carries pain, setbacks, failure, disappointment or betrayal? Unless we cling to faith and we walk in the spirit, otherwise it will be difficult to get out of the wilderness. When reality challenges our faith, what we confess matters. When Job was confronted with his predicament, he looked inside, and he relented from questioning God. He acknowledged His sovereignty and upheld the fear of the Lord. Against all odds, alone and left to himself, he trusted in God, Whose Word and Power, Wisdom and Infinite ability are the Source of Life.

When confronted with challenges, we should not let our faith succumb to frustration, or fear. When we are face-to-face with adversity, we should ask God to sustain our faith, to uphold our focus and determination, and to strengthen our inner man. We should plead with God to remember mercy, and to enlighten our path. We need the light of God’s Word, when we find ourselves in the valley of tests. When faced with difficulties, we lean on, and we confess the Truth. The faith journey we are engaged in passes through a valley of tests. When we are at critical crossroads, only the Spirit of God is Able to whisper to us the right direction. When we demonstrate and uphold a faith attitude, God Himself becomes our Guide, and our Strength.

The wilderness is a journey whereby we come across different trials. However, it is also an opportunity for introspection. In spite of many difficulties, we have to reach our place of assignment. Thus, we need to be anchored in the Lord. Every wilderness experience has a purpose. The rejection and the life of a fugitive David faced, the tribulations of Moses in the desert, the troubles of Daniel in the land of captivity, the betrayal of Joseph by his own brothers, the frustrating barrenness and Peninnah’s provocations Hannah had to endure, led to a greater purpose. These heroes of faith would have hardly imagined how the outcome of their journey would impact generations to come.

Refusing the status quo and standing on the promises of God remains the best attitude when journeying in the wilderness. God’s Promises never change. They are sure, because God doesn’t lie (Numbers 23:19 NIV). His Faithfulness and Mercy are the foundation of our victory and freedom. His Love is the compass for our journey. His Word is the winning strategy for the battles we are engaged in. Undoubtedly, in Him we are well-equipped to come out of the wilderness stronger.

Unless spiritually-screened, some acquaintances in our lives can hinder the manifestation of our dreams. Some associations cause delay in the fulfilment of our vision. They may as well be, intentionally or not, the active ingredients of the setbacks, the catalysts of doubt and discouragement, even temporal defeat. Hence, separation from them becomes necessary, if we are to exit our wilderness successfully. God sees it ahead of time and orchestrates a timely separation. It takes a revelation to perceive and realise that separation, as painful as it may be, is the doing of the Lord. It is meant for our own good, indeed, for a greater purpose.

In the wilderness, the separation we undergo is a purification process, a preparation for our assignment. Our character needs to be built (James 1:2-4 NIV), and a steady relationship with the Lord has to be reinforced. Our faith has to grow and the sensitivity to the Spirit of God has to increase. The ability to hear God and to persevere have to increase. The wilderness episode is inclusive of drought. The road to the anchor place is often a winding one, and only seeking God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24 NKJV) can bear fruit. Breakthrough and restoration are found in God alone. Yielding to God’s Will allows Him to guide us on the right path. Passing through the wilderness requires us to sacrifice. God provides the necessary grace for this journey. Only God can lift us up to the level we desire to be. He is Able to dispel doubt that hinders our progress, and to see us through the tests that beset us.

Fearing God and keeping His ways save us from many troubles. It upholds our relationship with Him. Keeping His ways is our best insurance to access His promises. In spite of the difficulties, opposition and adversity, keeping the ways of the Lord is a goal worth sacrificing for. The Lord rewards those who seek Him diligently. He avails the necessary grace to uphold His ways, and to enable us to press on, even under difficult circumstances. Keeping the ways of the Lord empowers us to overcome obstacles. When our horizon is blurred, and discouragement is knocking at our door, our total dependence should be upon the Lord, in order to exit the wilderness.

Even in the wilderness, nature still responds to God’s Word. Keeping His ways, regardless of the intensity of the storm, remains the safest refuge. God ordains our steps towards our place of appointment. Only the Lord can lift us to soar above storms, to overcome adversity and to settle us in our calling. On less-travelled roads, only God is Able to order our steps in our race. His Presence gives confidence. His Providence caters for our needs. He comforts every heart, heals every hurt, breaks every yoke, casts away every sorrow, and removes every hindrance. Only God can make a way in the wilderness, walk us through dark valleys, and lead us to our destination.

Keeping our dream alive whilst journeying in the wilderness, is the challenge we have to overcome. Reminding ourselves of the greatness of God inside of us, keeps our dreams alive, even when the valleys we are crossing are misty and full of uncertainty. Though the battle may be raging, we are assured of victory (through Christ). We need to press on resolutely. Our persistence is what enables us to keep on walking, despite the stiff opposition we may face. The determination to keep our dream alive is the best attitude ever, if we are to go past