THE WASTELAND IS God’s training ground…

 …There are half a dozen different things God does to the person going through the wasteland.  While there, you usually just spin your wheels.  It’s so discouraging.  You feel like God’s not hearing your prayers, He’s not letting you break through.  And the truth of it is, He is hearing your prayers, but He’s not letting you break through.

The wasteland isn’t caused by sin.  …It’s like when Joseph was in prison – those times.  In neither case did he sin to go to prison.  God brought him into prison and it was a long and difficult wasteland of preparation of his confidence, his capacity, his character–everything.  And then, when the wasteland was over, he walked out and ruled the biggest and most powerful nation in the world.  Bruce Wilkins

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”  1 Peter 5.10

 –Mike Benson