Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, 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
“What should I be learning from this? Lord, I don’t want to repeat this lesson!” When I struggle with challenges in life, this is my prayer. I base my prayer on Deuteronomy 8:2 and others like it.
God leads us through the wilderness (challenges, difficulties) to humble us and test us, to know what is in our hearts.
God Himself is the One leading me through the hardships of life. He has not abandoned me. He is not mad at me. Those are lies from the enemy. Instead, I humbly acknowledge my dependance on Him and thank Him for His presence. I find comfort and strength in the knowledge that even in the worst of circumstances, He is with me.
Why does God need to test me to know my heart? He is God; He knows all. He sees all. He knows my thoughts before I think them (Ps. 139:4). God reveals my heart for my sake, not His.
When disaster strikes, who do I lean on? When the road forks, whose way will I choose? When situations arise, will I conform or stand for Christ? God already knows what I will choose. He tests me so that I will know too.
My trials press me into His presence. As I watch God rescue me again and again, my faith soars, and I learn to trust Him more. Then my spirit rejoices at the privilege of partnering with God when I share my testimonies and bless others. My wilderness seasons can be this type of presence-centered, spiral upward if I am willing to humble myself and ask, “What should I be learning from this?”
Are you walking through a wilderness season? What are you learning?