After Jesus' baptism he was immediately sent out into the desert (the wilderness) for testing. So we are often sent out into a place of ?dryness' for a  time of testing after a time of joy in the Lord.

Often we think God has "left" us and we complain just as the children of Israel complained.  We may find that none of our usual encouragements are present.  We may even be in financial straits or have major health issues.  We may have numerous trials.  The children of Israel, by what they did not do, show us a better path.  Our Lord, through his temptation in the wilderness, shows a mature way.

Whatever our "wilderness" may be, we can be sure that our reliance on God Who carries us all the way through; will bring us the inner peace we need while we are wandering in the wilderness.  If you have called on the Name of Christ you have gone through at least one wilderness/desert experience.  No Christian is exempt.

As you go through the month's Bible verses, pray that God will show you how to apply these to your own desert experience.  There may be a gap between the receiving of a promise of God and its fulfillment in your life, however.  When we look at Scripture, we will see that this is often how God has worked in the past.  There are so many illustrations in the Scriptures to encourage us!  We will see that one must be in the wilderness in order to see the glory of the Lord. We will see that the wilderness is a place of safety, of testing, of proving, of NO EXCUSE, of remembering what He has done in our past, of the scapegoat carrying the burden of our sin, of the King in Glory coming, of God's provision.  As you study, see how God will speak into your wilderness.

Love in His Name,

The Staff and Board of Love INC