Day 20 - Lent 2026

EMBRACING WILDERNESS

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. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 8:2–3 (NKJV)

In Deuteronomy 8:2–3, God reminds Israel that the wilderness was not random. He used those years to humble them, test what was in their hearts, and teach them that they needed Him more than comfort or control. In my own “wilderness” moments—when life feels heavy, uncertain, or not going to plan—God is still training my heart to depend on His character and His word one day at a time, not just on what I can manage or see. As I look back, I can see that I didn’t carry myself here—God did, and that gives me confidence to trust Him with whatever comes next.

Let us pray:

Lord, thank You for leading me in every season, even the hard and confusing ones. When I feel pressure, stress, or anxiety, help me to turn my trust back to You. Remind me of Your faithfulness and teach me to live not by what I see and hear, but by every word that comes from You.

As I keep walking with You, let every wilderness moment draw me closer to Your heart and deepen my trust in Your sustaining presence. Amen.

SUBMITTED BY ELDER PAUL SAMMS