There’s Power in The Wilderness
The wilderness is always talked about in a negative light and while it signifies a place of some sort of drought, for the Christian, it can be one of great spiritual growth.
A wilderness is defined as a remote place characterized by a lack of comfort, appeal, and resources. It's depicted as a dark, isolated space where one feels disconnected from everything except for God. In a sermon titled “Is There Power In The Wilderness?” Pastor Josh Hamstra underscores that the wilderness is essential for spiritual growth and understanding. The wilderness is a place of testing, provision, and learning but when the challenges are embraced. It is an opportunity for God’s followers to grow in faith and connection with Him, to grow deeper. It also can be significant for personal growth and a greater understanding of oneself. The minister humorously suggests that given his extensive experience in the wilderness, he and his wife could start a "Wilderness Safari" to guide others through difficult times.
"There is something that happens in the wilderness, church, that if we miss out, if we skip steps, we are missing something about the power of God that is only found in the wilderness,” Pastor Josh assures.
When taking a look at Luke 4, Jesus’ own experience with the wilderness, particularly after His baptism we see that He was not aimlessly wandering into the wilderness but was led there by the Holy Spirit. This indicates a divine purpose behind wilderness experiences, suggesting that they are integral to spiritual preparation and growth. It’s noted that Jesus’s time in the wilderness was not just a test but also an opportunity for Him to receive power from God before beginning His ministry. This Biblical account reinforces the idea that the wilderness is a necessary phase that precedes empowerment and effectiveness in future endeavors. Following the wilderness experience, Jesus felt renewed and was able to teach and perform miracles, highlighting the transformative impact of His time in the wilderness.
The wilderness is a vital place for spiritual growth and understanding of God's power. It is where significant lessons and transformations occur. Jesus' life teaches us the importance of spiritual maturity while in the wilderness because had He taken the enemies' bait, He would not have fulfilled the Father’s purpose in His life on earth. It is an example to Christ followers of how to carry on in similar instances. Due to their lack of spiritual maturity, the people of Israel wandered the wilderness for 40 years when they were only supposed to be on an 11-day trip into The Promise Land. The temptation is to grumble and resist challenges rather than learn from them; however, the growth process often requires enduring challenges and trials to achieve the goal. Jesus emphasizes the importance of relying on God's word during times of temptation. He teaches that true sustenance comes from God's provision, not just physical needs.
We Can Learn from Joseph’s Wilderness
Joseph's journey illustrates that obedience to God can lead to greater trials, yet God's favor remains present even in the darkest circumstances. The growth Joseph needed for the dreams he had occurred through his own wilderness experiences.
Joseph’s journey from being despised by his brothers to becoming a favored servant in Egypt highlights God’s favor during dire situations. His resilience and refusal to engage in sin reflect his unwavering faith despite being sold into slavery. His time in the wilderness teaches vital lessons about trust and integrity. Pastor Josh encouraged the congregation that "Even in slavery, there is favor from God for Joseph."
As his wilderness continued we see that Joseph had to fight off advances from Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). Despite his persistent refusals she continued to seduce him, causing him to flee from her leaving behind his jacket. Potiphar’s wife uses his jacket to falsely accuse him of wrongdoing and it leads him to another form of wilderness when he is thrown in prison. Even in the darkness of the dungeon, Joseph finds favor with God, leading to him being put in charge by the prison guard, again demonstrating that God's presence and blessings can be felt even in the most challenging circumstances (Genesis 39:22)
The prophet's spiritual gift of interpretation of dreams begins to flourish in prison. He thought that would be his ticket out of the wilderness as he helped Pharaoh's baker and cupbearer. He told the cupbearer to remember him, however, time passes and Joseph is in prison for an additional two years before the cupbearer finally remembers Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. He then advocates for Joseph when Pharaoh is in distress over his dreams.
Joseph attributes his ability to interpret dreams to God which shows maturity in Joseph who once bragged about his dreams as a young man to his family.
Forgiveness in the Wilderness
Forgiveness can be a challenging journey, especially when facing deep-seated pain. Embracing God's mercy allows us to forgive in ways we cannot achieve alone. In Joseph’s story, we see that he is confronted with having to forgive his brothers who caused his many years in the wilderness. Despite the years of hardship, Joseph recognized that his brother’s actions were a part of God's overarching plan, highlighting a profound understanding of divine sovereignty and forgiveness. Pastor Josh said believers should reflect on their own ability to forgive, particularly for long-standing grievances because that is a critical step toward personal growth and helping others find redemption in seasons of wilderness. The moments of difficulties in life are opportunities for the believer to trust in God's provision because personal struggles are integral in building spiritual strength and community.
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
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