“And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” - Deuteronomy 8:2 (NKJV)
When we think of the wilderness, we usually visualise a place that is hot, dry, and barren; a place with little to no life, no water and no shade. The wilderness is perceived as a dangerous and uncomfortable place, yet as a custom, Rabbi’s would usually take their students into the wilderness in order to teach them certain principles.
In today’s opening verse, the word “wilderness” is the Hebrew word “Midbar”. This word comes from the root word “davar” which means “to speak”. Therefore, Midbar, the place of wilderness, is known as “the place where God speaks” and “the place of God’s voice”.
God led Moses into the wilderness to speak to him through a burning bush. He led Elijah into the wilderness to speak to him in a still small voice. In the same manner, the purpose of the wilderness in your life today is for God to speak to you. Many times God speaks to us, but we aren’t able to hear Him because we entertain too many distractions. For this reason, God will often lead us into a wilderness.
It’s important to realise that the wilderness is a place without distractions and luxuries, therefore, we are more likely to hear His voice clearly. I want to encourage you to embrace your wilderness today. Know that it’s not just a wilderness – it is holy ground. It is Midbar... The place where God speaks!
Prophetic Declaration
May I not despise the wilderness seasons. Like Elijah, may I hear Your voice. Like Moses, may I encounter You in a supernatural way. I declare and decree that this wilderness shall not be in vain, but that I shall come out renewed, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
