“Your Wilderness Is Not Permanent”

James 1:12-14

Permanent is defined as intended to exist or function for a long, indefinite period without regard to unforeseeable conditions; long-lasting; stable; forever; steadfast; persistent.

As a believer in Christ Jesus the wilderness is not a place we can avoid. And it’s not a place we go to once in our life. The wilderness is a time, season, or place that we go from time to time as long as we are here on earth, but it’s not permanent. It’s a season or time when God takes us through purification, training, preparation, transformation, and inner healing. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. If you are the Son of God, he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. 

I come by this morning to let someone know, your wilderness is not permanent, for Jesus came that we may have life and life more abundantly. Our wilderness is just a time when God wants to deal with some things in our heart or to prepare us for what lies ahead. It is not there to stay. We all have to go through the wilderness. God is shaping us to be Christ-like. Be bless and I love you!!! JE