As I meditated on Jesus’ fasting passage in the wilderness, my focus rested on the moment when Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. In Matthew 4:1-3 (NKJV), Jesus responds:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matt 4:1-3 NKJV)

Curious about this verse, I discovered its origin in Deuteronomy 8:3 (NKJV), which reads:

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.(Deut 8:3, NKJV)

These phrases illustrate three acts of God: ‘He humbled you,’ ‘causing you to hunger,’ and ‘to teach you.’

So, what defines the wilderness?

The wilderness is an arid land devoid of water, a place where wild fields stretch without cultivation or human habitation.

The Israelites journeyed through the wilderness for 40 years, and for what purpose? Deuteronomy sheds light on this:

² And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

“To humble you,” “to test you,” “to know what was in your heart,” and to discern “whether you will keep God’s commandments or not” exemplify the purposes behind such experiences, mirroring our own lives.

Similar to the Israelites’ journey, God allows wilderness-like periods in our lives. These dry seasons might seem devoid of hope, lacking refreshment, and purposeless, testing our resolve. However, remember, the Lord allows these kind of situations in our life for his divine purpose.

What are these divine purposes behind the wilderness?

To humble us

The one way which God teaches us humility is by letting us go through dry times. We might hunger and thirst, seeking water or food anywhere but finding nothing. Remember, when we are in need and there is no sign of hope anywhere around, it’s for us to know that we need to humble ourselves more and look unto God. in times of suffering and in need, that’s when we become more humble and look unto God. Do not complain or murmur but just look unto God with all humility.

To test us

God allows us to go through certain painful situations to test us. Test two things: What’s in our mind? Do we really obey God or not? When a man is tested with wilderness-like experience, that’s when the true character of the person emerges. Look at Joseph, the young and handsome slave. He was alone at Potiphar’s house when only he was not at home. His wife tried to seduce Joseph but he feared God and ran away from doing sin. In moments like these, God tests our true character. So when you are provoked, or angered, people say all kinds of evil against you, remember, it’s your testing time.

Will we yield to temptation or stand firm in obedience?

Remember: God is testing what is in your heart, and He will watch out to see if you really fear Him and obey Him. How is God testing you? Pass out with flying colors.

To teach you

Wilderness not only makes us humble while God tests us. It is teach us certain lessons of God. The wilderness teaches us to trust God unconditionally. What does the Bible say about what God teaches us during those times?

to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord

To teach us to live on God’s word. What does that mean? When you are suffering, tempted and hungry, you look upon God and His words gives you life. Whatever He has said in His Word (bible) gives you comfort. Do you take those words seriously.

When you are in need, remember

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

When you feel like you are alone you should feed on the verse“Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

When you are depressed or anxious

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

and it goes on.

Jesus was in the wilderness, feeding on the word of God, when Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread. That’s when Jesus responded with this verse

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matt 4:1-3 NKJV)

What a powerful defense!

Yes, the Word of God is our weapon against the devil. Let’s feed on the word of God, immerse ourselves deeply into it, so that we can fight every tactic of the enemy and live a victorious Christian life even in the times of wilderness