There are different kinds of deserts that men may go through: emotional, economic, bodily, relationship-wise, family-wise, spiritual, etc. Along our walk with the Eternal, He sometimes takes us to the desert. It's possible that we may have to be in a desert for a long time. The desert can be a deep, very hot or very cold place, rocky and full of snakes, scorpions and other dangerous creatures.

What is important to know is that treatment in the desert is something positive. If we know how to react in the desert we won't die there, but will be taken to something good, because our heavenly Father, who took us there, has great purposes for us.

Sadly, many people die in the desert. The reason that they can't take the pressure of the desert is that they haven't learned to trust the Eternal in that desert. Instead of submitting to His treatment, they rebel against Him with complaints, and fighting the authorities that He has set over them.

Yeshua was led by the Spirit into the desert; but he was also led by the Spirit in the desert. It's not the same to be led into the desert as it is to be led in the desert. Whoever is led in the desert by the Spirit will come out of it in victory. (Matt. 4:1; Luke. 4:1, 14).

The best generation of the history of Israel is the one that came out of the desert. The book of Yehoshua (Joshua) shows us one of the best times in Israel's history if we think about the spiritual level of the people. There was almost no rebellion among the people. Yehoshua, unlike Moshe, didn't have to suffer with a rebellious people that complained at all times. The desert had had its effect in the lives of the generation that grew up there, and that same generation was able to conquer the promised land. In order for us to be able to conquer the promised land, we will have to go through the desert.

The desert is a very important place regarding the Eternal's dealing with us. If we succeed in learning the lesson in the desert, we will get to something good, something beautiful, and very valuable – beyond the desert.

The Scriptures teach that the Desert is a place of treatment and a place of passage to be tempted and humbled in order to learn to depend on the Eternal and get to something better. The desert is a place of encounter between HaShem and men and between men and men. The desert is a place where the Eternal wants men to serve him with sacrifices and praise.

We shouldn't be surprised when the Spirit of the Eternal takes us to the desert to be tested and tempted by the enemy. When you find yourself in the desert, don't think something strange is happening to you. When you find yourself in the desert, don't think that HaShem has abandoned you. When you find yourself in the desert, don't think that you are not good enough. When you find yourself in the desert, don't think that things are going bad. When you find yourself in the desert, don't think that others have failed you. When you find yourself in the desert, don't think that things used to be better. When you find yourself in the desert, rest assured that it is a necessary place for all the sons and daughters of the Eternal. When you find yourself in the desert, rest assured that HaShem is with you. When you find yourself in the desert, rest assured that He is transforming your character. When you find yourself in the desert, rest assured that things are going well for you. When you find yourself in the desert, rest assured that there are people who love you. When you find yourself in the desert, rest assured that there is healing for your body. When you find yourself in the desert, rest assured that the Eternal is taking you to a higher level. When you find yourself in the desert, rest assured that you will not be there forever, but that the desert itself will take you to a wonderful place –beyond the desert, where you will have a greater revelation of the Eternal.

May the Eternal help us not to fall in the desert but to cross it and get to the finish line.

Ketriel