The Wilderness

Consider:

   The wilderness is not the test.   Whether or not you will obey God going through the wilderness, that's the test. Often, if not always, Gods instructions will totally contradict the circumstances you find yourself in at the time. But like Israel, God will test us in order to know what is in our hearts, whether or not we will obey his commands.(Deuteronomy 8).

    You see, there is no other way to take possession of the land God has promised, and is currently occupied by giants, except through obeying the voice of God and doing what He says. The wilderness teaches us that we do not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of Gods mouth. We learn not to treat Him with contempt by taking what He says lightly.  God in His mercy isn't going to lead us into the land of promise unless He knows we are properly equipped with a heart of humility and submission.  It is an unfortunate thing, but it seems the wilderness is the only place those weapons of warfare are developed.