We’ve been talking about the wilderness and how God prepares us for our ministry and destiny. Ministry is what we do, destiny is what we become. It is our larger purpose or destination at which God wants us to arrive. That destination includes understanding, faith, and character (virtue) which are at the heart of His redemptive work in us. Understanding and learning to live in the Kingdom of God is a challenge because it’s unlike anything on earth. For example, we give to receive, we die to live, we return love to those who hate us, we go the extra mile, and we turn the other cheek. It’s been called the ‘upside down Kingdom’ because the way it works is opposite to the kingdoms of this world.
Once we as believers understand how the Kingdom of God works, God invites us into the wilderness with a vision of His specific promise for us. The wilderness turns into a “situation”, which by earthly standards is impossible, in order to teach us how to live by Kingdom principles. The wilderness is more than a challenge of our faith – it’s meant to expose our darkened hearts. In the midst of the “situation”, God withdraws His presence causing our deepest, darkest, and hidden unbelief to come to the surface. We’re then faced with confronting our unbelief, or becoming confused, angry, or fearful.
If we understand the premise of the wilderness, we can make better choices and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to repent and turn against unbelief, and allow the Holy Spirit to put it to death. It’s then, and only then, that we’re able to move forward in our spiritual walk with God. If we fail to confront our hidden sin, we become like the Children of Israel (COI), and remain stuck in the wilderness. Unfortunately, many people I meet are “stuck” in the wilderness.
There are 3 main parts of what we’ve been calling the “wilderness experience”. In the wilderness, the COI feared that God would not meet their needs which exposed their unbelief. Later at Jericho, they where faced with walls so high and thick that they were challenged to dismiss their rational thinking. They were commanded by Joshua to not speak as they walked obediently around the city. The real battle was between the Spirit of God (faith) and their understanding (the flesh). This battle within produces confusion. When, however, they chose to ‘side with the Holy Spirit’, the impossible became possible.
Finally, the COI had to overcome the 7 Nations who occupied the Promised Land. This is a complicated subject, but the short answer is that each one of the nations represents core motivations of the flesh which, when rendered powerless, produce anger. Christ crucifies the flesh through unique and specific circumstances in order to resurrect the “new man” who is motivated by unconditional love.
When Adam sinned, fell, and became subject to the Adamic Nature which is called the “flesh”, it was a dark day for us; however, had it not happened, all of humanity would have been limited to being God’s created (in His image) beings. When Christ redeemed us, He made it possible for us to be like Him – in every way. He has invited us into the equality of the Trinity. He also made it possible to acquire His unconditional love and forgiveness, His power, His authority, His honor, His glory, etc., etc. The journey toward that destination begins when we completely surrender to His Lordship and follow Him into the wilderness. It ends in spiritual crucifixion of the flesh and we are resurrected to become like Him. By doing so, we not only are glorified but also find a new intimacy with Christ unlike anything ever before. I will write more about this in a future article.
We “become” in the wilderness (spiritual death) in order to fulfill our destiny to overcome the devil, the world, and the flesh, for His glory. The cost is high, but the rewards are unimaginable.
© Copyright 2014-15, Paul K. Weigel – All rights reserved.
For more information about the wilderness process check this out: