WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE (2)
JUNE 19,2025
TEXT: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:3-5
Men’s perception of the “wilderness experience” varies from person to person, but there are some common themes. Many view it as an unfair or unnecessary trial, a punishment for perceived failures or shortcomings. They may become angry, bitter, or disillusioned with God, questioning His goodness or even His existence. Unfortunately, few men understand the importance of this experience. They view it as a test of their faith and resilience, a time to strengthen their connection to God and prove their commitment to Him. They use the experience as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of themselves and their spirituality, finding meaning in the struggle.
The “wilderness experience” plays a significant role in our spiritual growth, despite our fear of its challenges. We must understand that during these times, we’re not stagnating but rather being prepared for the next phase of growth in our spiritual journey. This is the period when we learn to discard our own ideas and seek God’s guidance, receiving fresh revelation from Him.
The wilderness, seemingly barren and inhospitable, turns out to be fertile ground for divine revelation. Whether it’s trials, persecution, doubts, or broken dreams, the experiences of the wilderness strip away our illusions of control and leave us empty, inactive, and devoid of our own resources—creating the perfect soil for God’s ideas to bloom. In this time of vulnerability, God’s wisdom takes root, transforming our understanding of ourselves, our faith, and our purpose. The wilderness experience, then, is not a time of desperation but of divine intervention and revelation.
In the desolate Arabian desert, Paul set forth on a spiritual journey guided by God’s intimate presence. Following his conversion, Paul eschewed the teachings of the apostles and ventured into the wilderness, where he underwent a three-year period of personal discipleship, during which God personally discipled him. In this transformative experience, Paul shed the beliefs that had once hindered his faith, allowing God to transform his perspective, knowledge, and spirit. From this profound revelation in the wilderness, he emerged with a “God idea” that transformed his understanding of Jesus, shaping his life and ministry with a newfound understanding of his calling and launching him on a new course.
Many believers, though filled with faith, have yet to experience a personal “God idea.” Their paths may have been guided by the wisdom of friends, other saints, books, or tapes—useful signposts, but not the compass of divine revelation. To receive a personal God idea, God may lead us into the wilderness, where we are stripped of distractions and forced to turn our undivided attention towards Him. It is in this wilderness that He reveals His plans and purpose, not through secondhand accounts, but through firsthand revelation, igniting in us a burning conviction that propels us forward in our faith journey.
SEARCHLIGHT: The Wilderness Experience” is not punishment, but a vital part of our spiritual growth, preparing us for what’s to come.
PRAYER: Oh LORD, give me the strength and courage to let go of my own ideas, so that I may be open to Your purpose for my life.
BIBLE READING: Psalm 50-52, Hebrew 10
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
