The moment has arrived. After generations of waiting, the Israelites stand on the banks of the Jordan, ready to claim the promise. Here comes the milk and honey!

They know the stories of God’s rescue well, however, only two of the estimated two million experienced slavery or remember escaping through parted waters.

Moses’ recalls the purpose of their life in the wilderness.

God tested their character as they wandered between Egypt and Canaan for 40 years. He prepares them to partner with Him to rule in Canaan. His intention from the time they escaped through the Red Sea – to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands (Deuteronomy 8:2).

Can God trust the Israelites to rule according to His will?

God showed them that He’s in control, not them. He demonstrated their complete dependence on Him.

He let them become hungry, then provided manna each morning. God instructed them to gather just enough bread for each day, and twice as much the day before the Sabbath (Exodus 16:4-5). If they tried to gain security by gathering more than they needed, it spoiled.

God demonstrated that humans live by God’s grace. And He is trustworthy.

God intended the lesson to teach them to trust all His wisdom and instructions. He humbled you… to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. (Deuteronomy 8:3-4)

This wilderness experience prepared Israel for their calling. Centuries later, Jesus also faced a wilderness—one that tested His trust in the Father before His mission began.

Jesus faced three temptations, tests that reveal His character – whether he’d trust the Father or depend on his own wisdom. The test prepares Jesus to face many tests, and ultimately the test of crucifixion.

We too face trials. What will they reveal about our trust in God?

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. (Matthew 4:1-2)

The tempter waits until Jesus is weak and hungry from 40 days of fasting. God’s declaration is fresh in Jesus’ mind, and a thorn in the devil’s side: this is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17).

The devil tries the same trick he used in the Garden: ‘if’.

The tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread (Matthew 4:3).

Satan tempts Jesus to use his divine power to serve his own human interests: relieve your hunger. Jesus confronts the devil by quoting Moses’ speech, It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4).

This quotation from Moses evoked the entire wilderness scene described above and its lesson. It’s just as ‘Yellow Brick Road’ immediately conjures a whole journey, a cast of characters, and lessons.

Jews, including Jesus, often quoted bits of scripture to evoke an entire story. In this case, all of life is a gift from God. Trust Him. Trust His wisdom. Obey His instruction.

By quoting Moses, Jesus says, “I will remain humble and obedient. God is trustworthy.”

We all encounter wilderness experiences. Lost and insecure, we face our weaknesses. Especially in these times of difficulty, the adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), tempting us to dig ourselves out of the pit.

We pray, asking God to give us this day our daily bread, implying that we trust Him for each day’s manna. Do we believe we aren’t self-sufficient?

The test reveals whether we really trust God or our own wisdom.

Trials present an opportunity to encounter the Holy in the hard, to rely on God’s strength. Use the power in God’s word and depend on His promises.

No trial is greater than God’s power.
Trust Him.
God is faithful.

Reflect on these questions:

• How have your own efforts and God’s provision partnered to reach your present condition in life?
• In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength instead of God’s provision?
• How has God’s past faithfulness in your life encouraged you to trust Him for the future?
• When have you faced a trial that tested your trust in God? How did you respond?
• How can you use Scripture to combat doubt and fear when facing wilderness seasons?

Wilderness tests sometimes cause us to question if God loves us. They can also inspire self-reflection and clarify our purpose in life.

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