(This is part 2 of a series of wilderness messages)

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?

Song of Solomon 8:5 NKJV

The words “leaning upon her beloved” carries the idea of us leaning on God as our pillar of strength. I believe it also speaks of us learning to depend wholeheartedly on Him. It speaks about a close intimate relationship with the Lord. In the gospel of John, we read about how the disciple whom Jesus loved leaned upon His bosom at the last supper (John 13:23). I believe this helps us understand that we too can have a close intimate friendship with our Beloved Jesus. As God continually shows us His goodness and faithfulness, our hearts draw close to Him in love, faithful obedience and commitment. God also teaches us how to deepen our roots in Christ, draw close to Him and cultivate a close friendship with the Holy Spirit.

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

Luke 5:16 NKJV

A few years ago, I came across the above-mentioned Scripture in Luke which tells us that Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness alone to pray. At the time, I had just come out a difficult wilderness season, and because of this, I couldn’t understand why Jesus would willingly go into the wilderness to pray. I understood that the purpose of Jesus withdrawing into the wilderness was to pray and spend time with His Father, but I wanted to understand why He would choose to do so specifically in the wilderness? The Lord immediately replied to my question with this answer, “Because that is where relationship is built.”

His answer completely changed everything for me. I no longer saw the wilderness as a place to be avoided, but instead I welcomed it, because I have a great desire to have a close intimate relationship with my Father. God’s timing was perfect, because soon after I received this understanding, the Holy Spirit led me into another wilderness season. I have also since then learned that we can have several wilderness seasons in our journey with the Lord.

I’d like to show you an example of someone in the bible, who I believe had a very good wilderness journey. We know that David was still quite young when Samuel anointed him as the next king of Israel, but he had to go through wilderness seasons to get ready for the calling God had on his life. Interestingly, king Saul never went through a wilderness season, and as a result he never learned important lessons which only a wilderness season can teach. He continually failed to be obedient to instructions given, acted presumptuously, and because of this the Lord rejected him as king.

Scripture tells us that David was known the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1), as well as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). We know that David wrote most of the Psalms, many of which contain some words of praise to God. Some of these Psalms he wrote during his wilderness seasons, and we can see that during these wilderness times, he was seeking the Lord. He wrote about his love for the Lord and his desire to be close to the Lord. We can see from Scripture that David had a personal relationship with the Lord. Below is an example of a Psalm David wrote whilst in the wilderness.

Joy in the fellowship of God

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

Oh God, You are my God; early I will seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.

Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.

Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:1-8 NKJV

I believe that David understood the value and importance of a close intimate relationship with God, unlike the children of Israel who continually complained against the Lord. The bible tells us that they tested God in their hearts by asking meat for their lust (Psalm 78:18). They also disobeyed God because they did not believe in Him for salvation, and they looked back longingly at their life in Egypt. They also asked Moses to relay the messages from the Lord at Mount Sinai because they were too afraid to have the Lord speak directly to them (Exodus 20:18-19). They were taken out of Egypt (representing a life of bondage to sin), but Scripture tells us that unfortunately their hearts turned back to Egypt (Acts 7:39).

If they had only known the Lord’s heart and His ways. If they had only taken the time to seek Him earnestly and apply faith, they would have come to understand that God’s heart has always been, and still is for reconciliation. God tells us in Scripture that we are His inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:9) and His special treasure (Deuteronomy 7:6). Our God is a God of relationship. Scripture tells us that He took them out of Egypt to bring them to Himself.

You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

Exodus 19:4 NKJV

I can testify that during my wilderness seasons, God has shown me many times that relationship always takes priority over the good works we do for His kingdom. The reason is because the good works He has in store for us, will always stem out of our commitment and love for Jesus. During our wilderness seasons, God deepens our roots firmly in Jesus Christ so that we can stand strong in our faith. As we spend time with the Lord in prayer, praise and Scripture study, He gives us a deeper revelation of who He is. He teaches us more about His character, and He reveals to us those things which are close to His heart. We learn more about who He is by experiencing His gentleness, faithfulness and goodness. Our relationship with God moves from merely head knowledge to knowing Him by experience. As we taste and see that the Lord is good, we come to know how very precious He is, and as a result we value our relationship with Him above everything else. This has been my personal experience.

1 Peter 2:7 confirms that those who believe in Jesus, He is precious to them:

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious.

Abraham was called a friend of God, and this is what God told Abraham:

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

Genesis 15:1 NKJV

I’d like to leave you with a word of encouragement based upon this message. Wilderness seasons can be hard, but if we understand the purpose behind them, I believe that we can embrace what God is wanting to teach us. If we know that it is a time to build relationship with our precious Father, it changes our perception of the wilderness. God promises us in His Word that if we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us (James 4:8). As you draw close to God, may He reveal more understanding of His Word to you. May He bless you with a deeper understanding of who He is, and may He share His heart with you.

Blessings in Jesus’ name