And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. Exodus 13:17-18
As I was waking up, the Lord spoke to me about being in the wilderness. The wilderness is hard and uncomfortable, and when we’re there, we can’t wait for it to be over so we can just Get There. When we’re in the wilderness for what we feel like is way too long we begin to think things about God.
God just spoke to me and said that when you’re in the wilderness you’re not there because I’m mad at you, or because I’ve forgotten about you, or because I don’t care about you.
See, the Israelites could’ve taken a much shorter route to the promised land, but instead God took them through the wilderness because they weren’t ready to possess Canaan. He wanted to teach them his ways and give them the pattern of worship.
God puts us in the wilderness so that we can learn what we need to learn so that we’re ready to posses the Promised Land. It is a promise that the Promised Land is coming, but God wants to prepare us for it.
What God hated the most about the Israelites is that they were constantly murmuring and complaining about what was going on when they were in the wilderness. What we need to do when we’re in the wilderness is to turn to God and say, “I trust you. I know that you have my best interest at heart. This is hard on me, but I’m going to worship you because I know that the Promised Land is going to be here soon and I will be ready in your time. Help me to be patient so that I can pass the training I’m in and move on to the richness you have in store for me.”
Hold fast. God is never in a hurry. Trust your Father’s heart and you will come through this ready to be blessed and prospered beyond your imagination.