Into the Wilderness: One on One With God

By Gerard Edwards

Many have endured challenges in life where their faith have been put on trial. Through those challenges, some have lost hope and have desired to give up. This book displays that afflictions can lead to promising results. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Into the Wilderness: One on One With God is a spiritual book that will provide guidance through dark circumstances.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543983432

Book preview

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Print ISBN 978-1-54398-342-5

eBook ISBN 978-1-54398-343-2

Contents

Introduction

Transition

Knowing God’s Voice

Brokenness

Receiving God’s Word

A Time of Testing

Building a Prayer Life

A Time of Training

Don’t Quit in Your Wilderness

Introduction

Being drawn into the wilderness can be an uncomfortable and challenging experience. It’s a place where there is little to no outside interference. Many run from such a place due to a fear of the unknown. It’s a place where God wants your full attention of his strategic plan for your life. While being in the wilderness, there is not a set timeframe of completion. The wilderness can last days, months, or even years.

Having a wilderness experience does not necessarily mean a believer is in sin or has come under judgment. Rather, it’s an experience where God wants to rebuild our faith, strengthen our minds, and build our spiritual maturity. The wilderness is definitely not a place of comfort and rest. It is a place where an individual endures trials and tribulations. Job 23:10 states, For he has knowledge of the way that I take; after I have been tested, I will come out like gold. Job went through many difficulties including financial loss, extreme health issues, and mockery from friends and family.

You may ask why God sends someone through the wilderness. Or you may wonder why does someone have to go through such difficulty when God is a God of love and compassion? All of these are great questions; however, one must ask the personal question of how does growth come without trials and testing?

Chapter 1

Transition

Transition means there is a significant change that is about to take place. Transition also identifies something that is being left behind while there is something to look forward to. Moses is a prime example of someone that had to leave something behind. Moses was adopted by an Egyptian princess; and, he had the lifestyle of living in a palace. When living in a palace, there are many benefits and privileges that one has compared to others. One could live in much greater luxury and possess many lavish items. Is it possible that Moses began to get comfortable in his environment? Whether he did or did not he would eventually witness an incident that would begin his transition.

After Moses saw an Egyptian brutally assault one of his fellow Hebrews, Moses committed a murder that would later be discovered by Pharaoh himself. Fearing the threats issued by Pharaoh, Moses quickly fled to Midian thus leaving behind a lifestyle that included riches, comfort, and free of worry. Why does this story have major implications for transitioning? Only God will allow situations to arise in our lives that would cause discomfort. There are moments where discomforts will lead us to a place where we are alone.

There are moments when one can become so comfortable in a certain environment or around a specific group of people. Comfort causes a hindrance of flexibility. When one gets too comfortable, that person will eventually become unwilling to change scenery. A clear example is shown when Moses took the tent and pitched it a good distance away from the camp. It was called a tent of meeting which is found in Exodus 33. To truly hear from God, we have to depart and go a distance away from society in order to get readjusted with God. The wilderness is like a meeting place where God speaks with a person face to face. God will say depart and go from the location you are in to come to a place of isolation to hear from him. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar descended at the entrance and the Lord would speak to Moses. The same encounter that happened with Moses is the type of encounter that the Lord wants to happen with you. The question is would you be willing to step away in order to get a revelation from God?

Transitioning from one place to another can be uncomfortable and at times discouraging. One must always know that God is with you and for you. He knows the future, he already has a plan, and everything is put in order for you to reach your destination. Isaiah 49:16 states, Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands, your walls are continually before me. God shows us through his word that he will take care of us and lead us despite the challenges we may face in life.

In the process of transitioning, your faith will be put on trial. Can you imagine the thought process of Abraham when God told him to depart from his own country and his own kindred to be lead to a place that God did not name in the command? How would you respond if God told you to instantly stop what you are doing and prepare yourself to depart to an unknown destination? Not only did God say depart, he also said you will go unto a land that he will show you. In other words, you will not know the correct destination until either God literally says you have arrived, or, he opens your eyes to the chosen place as you approach.

To obey such command takes great faith. Many disregard the command to depart due to having fear of the unknown. In Genesis 12:2, God says, I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Four different scenarios within one verse where God identifies his will for you if you obey and transition as he directs. In Psalm 119:105, David says, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Think about the power of God’s word when he speaks as we transition. When God tells you to depart, your path will be bright