A New Mindset

Reflections on the wilderness from the second message in Pastor David's series: A New Thing

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Jan 16

In the second installment of his series—A New Thing, Pastor David offers a word of preparation for the coming year, “You will face the wilderness, but God wants to give you a new mindset while you are in the wilderness. We often view the wilderness as a God-forsaken place…you don’t want to go to the wilderness, but because of necessity, you will go!”

This is not the typical new year’s spin on the “new thing” passage in Isaiah forty-three. However, a closer look at verses nineteen to twenty-one reveals God’s promise that the coming new thing (the Messiah and new covenant) would bring redemption into the wilderness. This is foreshadowed over and over throughout the Old Testament, but before we start unpacking some of these redemptive wilderness moments, let’s take a look at Isaiah forty-three.

Do not remember the former things
    nor consider the things of old.
19 See, I will do a new thing,
    now it shall spring forth; shall you not be aware of it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
    and rivers in the desert.
20 The beast of the field shall honor Me,
    the jackals and the owls,
because I give waters in the wilderness,
    and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to My people, My chosen ones.
21     This people I have formed for Myself;
    they shall declare My praise.
1

The wilderness is a common Old Testament theme. It is continually revisited throughout numerous narratives, many of which were later picked up by New Testament authors and loaded with insights about Christ and His Kingdom. Before looking at the wilderness experience of Jesus Himself, let’s consider a few lessons from the wilderness in the Old Testament. As we explore these lessons, consider how a new mindset is needed to see God’s presence in the wilderness. Jesus, John the Baptist, and the apostles all preached, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.” The Greek word that is translated “repent” is “metanoia.” It literally means, change your mind. To receive what God is doing through His kingdom, it will require a new mindset.

Lesson 1: Realize What God Is Capable of in the Wilderness

Consider these passages from the book of Exodus:

In chapter thirteen, God gave direction in the wilderness, using a cloud by day and a fire by night. This supplies a powerful preview of Pentecost when the fire of God would come to reside within believers, supplying a constant source of direction.

18 Therefore, God led the people around, through the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea, and the children of Israel went up prepared for war out of the land of Egypt…20 They took their journey from Sukkoth and camped in Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. -Ex. 13:18-21

In chapter fourteen, the Israelites feared that they would die in the wilderness, but God supernaturally opened a path through the Red Sea and overthrew the Egyptian army, identifying the wilderness as a place of supernatural protection. As the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, this also became symbolic of their baptism, a theme which the Apostle Paul picks up in First Corinthians chapter ten.

10 When Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and indeed, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they were extremely terrified, so the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?…24 And in the morning watch the Lord looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud and threw the camp of the Egyptians into confusion. 25 He removed their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty, and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” -Ex. 14:10-25

In chapter fifteen, the Israelites traveled three days into the wilderness to a place they called Marah because the water was bitter. The people complained because they had nothing to drink, and God showed Moses a tree. When the tree touched the water, it was supernaturally made sweet. This provides a beautiful foreshadow of the cross, the tree which after three days of bitter death brought life. In John chapter seven, Jesus invited all who believe to come to Him and drink.

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Wilderness of Shur, and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore, the name of it was called Marah. 24 So the people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he had thrown it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. -Ex. 15:22-25

In chapter sixteen, the Israelites were hungry, and God rained bread down from Heaven to provide for them. They were amazed and called it “manna,” which literally means, “what is it?”. This miracle continued for six days every week for the next forty years. Each Friday, they were able to gather double in preparation to rest and worship on the Sabbath. In John chapter six, Jesus asserts that He was the true bread from Heaven that is given by God to His people. The wilderness is a place of provision and preparation.

Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin…4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Indeed, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain amount every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.” -Ex. 16:1-4

In chapter seventeen, the Israelites were thirsty again and again they murmured against Moses. This time God provided for them by bringing enough water out of a rock for them and their livestock to drink. The Apostle Paul personified this rock in First Corinthians ten as representative of Christ Himself.

All the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin, from place to place, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people contended with Moses and said, “Give us water so that we may drink.”…5 The Lord said to Moses, “Pass over before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. And take in your hand your rod with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Indeed, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and there water shall come out of it, so that the people may drink.” -Ex. 17:1-6

This is just a small sampling of the miracles God worked in the wilderness. He revealed Himself as a guide, protector, provider, the one who makes bitter water sweet, the bread from Heaven, and the water from the rock. All the while, the Israelites complained against God, longed to return to Egyptian slavery, and made accusations against Moses. Pastor David warns, “Don’t let your thirst make you long for slavery! It’s better to have a promise in the wilderness than to be a slave in the palace. Don’t forget the promise by focusing on the wilderness.” He continues, “God did not promise roses, pink elephants, rainbows, and clouds. Sometimes you will face the wilderness.” The wilderness may not seem desirable, but it is essential to spiritual growth.

Lesson 2: Realize That You Are Not the First One to Come Through the Wilderness

In Genesis chapter thirty-seven, Joseph was thrown into a pit in the wilderness by his brothers. Despite the pain and heartache Joseph endured, that pit became a portal that eventually transported him to the Egyptian palace. After rising to become second in command under Pharoah, Joseph declared to his brothers, “…you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many lives” (Gen. 50:20). Nonetheless, his journey began in the wilderness.

22 Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but throw him into this pit here in the wilderness…23 When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped Joseph of his coat—his coat of many colors that he had on. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty, and there was no water in it. -Gen. 37:22-24

Exodus through Deuteronomy records how the Israelites spent forty years journeying through the wilderness. In First Samuel chapter seventeen, David goes to check on his brothers who are at war with the Philistines along with King Saul. When David expresses disgust over Goliath’s blasphemy, his older brother mocks him, implying that David should go back to the wilderness.

28 Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?” -1 Sam. 17:28

Pastor David notes that King David spent so much of his life in the wilderness that he became comfortable with the wilderness and used it to his advantage at key moments in life. When he ran from Saul and later from Absolom, he fled to the wilderness. What if we learned from him and chose to cherish our wilderness moments rather than despising them?

God met with Elijah in the wilderness, and when John the Baptist later came “in the spirit and power of Elijah,” (Luke 1:16-17) he spent his life in the wilderness. When the time came for him to emerge as a prophet, he chose to declare his message from the wilderness.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make His paths straight.’ ” -Matthew 3:1-3

In Stephen’s sermon in Acts chapter seven, he refers to Moses as having a “church in the wilderness”

(Acts 7:38). Wilderness experiences are common among Christ followers. Wilderness moments are formative events that often do more to shape our lives than mountain-top experiences. Whe the Old Testament king of Aram fought the Israelites, he wrongly believed, "...Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were stronger than us" (1 Kings 20:23). It is one thing for a pagan king to believe this foolishness, but it is quite another for believers not to realize that God is as present in the wilderness as He is elsewhere.

Pastor David issues a strong word of correction, “It is arrogant and conceited for you to think that you’re the only one who has ever gone through what you’re going through.” Wilderness experiences have been known by believers throughout all ages. He further admonishes, “Our mindset has to change. We have to stop saying, ‘Oh my God, the wilderness!’, and start saying, “Oh, my God’s in the wilderness!’”

The song, "A Reason to Praise” by Bethel Music and Cory Asbury, powerfully illustrates how God shows up in wilderness moments,

When I'm at my end, You're just getting started
When I hit a wall, You just walk through
When I face a mountain, You are the Maker
So it's gotta move

When I'm out of faith, You are still faithful
When I'm at my worst, You are still good
In all of my questions, You are the answer
It all points to You
'Cause You're the God of the breakthrough
When I'm breaking down
You'll be working a way through
When there's no way out
This one thing I know, You're still on Your throne
So whatever I'm feeling
I've still got a reason to praise

The song further declares what happens when God shows up,

When You come around
Dry bones come to life
Deserts to paradise
Stones just start rollin' away
When You come around
My heart starts to beat again
Lungs stretch to breathe You in
Souls just erupt into praise"

Lesson 3: Realize What God is Capable of Raising Up Out of the Wilderness

Throughout history, God has raised up kings, missionaries, and all kinds of leaders from the wilderness. Joseph’s journey began in a pit in the wilderness (Gen. 37). It took him to Potiphar’s house, to the prison, and finally to the palace. Psalms powerfully depicts a portion of this journey,

He sent a man before them,
    Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They hurt his feet with fetters;
    his neck was put in an iron collar.
19 Until the time that his word came to pass,
    the word of the Lord tested him.
20 The king sent and released him;
    the ruler of the people let him go free.
21 He made Joseph lord of his house
    and ruler of all his possessions -Psalm 105:17-21

Moses first encountered God in the wilderness in Exodus chapter three. It was there that the Lord, speaking to him from the burning bush, commissioned him to face down Pharoah and lead the Hebrews out of slavery. As mentioned in the second lesson, David’s life was deeply impacted by the wilderness. In fact, it could be said that David’s kingdom was defined by the wilderness and by the cave of Adullam more than by the palace. The miracles he saw in the wilderness were far greater than anything that is recorded while he was in the palace.

Reflecting on these truths, Pastor David encourages, “If God raised up a prophet, a king, and a second-in-command to Pharoah out of the wilderness, don’t tell me He can’t start revival in a high school! Don’t tell me he can’t start a movement out of foster care!” He further boasted that God is able to use people from the wilderness to eliminate poverty in communities, to provide foster families for every child in need, and to transform families so that the need for foster care goes away in communities. God is able! He further explains, “The wilderness is what it is. Prepare for it. Don’t curse it. Don’t get mad at the world for being the world. It’s up to the church to be different.”

Lessons From Jesus in the Wilderness

Matthew’s account of the temptation of Christ begins with these words,

Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. 2 And He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, and then He was hungry. 3 And the tempter came to Him… -Matthew 4:1-3

Mark uses even stronger words to describe His temptation,

The Spirit immediately drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts. And the angels ministered to Him. -Mark 1:12-13

My friend, Fr. Darryl Fitzwater, notes that the Greek word that is translated “drove” in Mark 1:12 is “ekbalo,” which is the same word Mark uses to describe Jesus driving out demons. The picture is one of the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus with such force as He emerged from His baptism in Jordan that He was powerfully compelled to go to the wilderness and face Satan. I have already noted that the New Testament authors employ multiple wilderness images from the Old Testament to describe Christ’s activity among believers. Christ’s own wilderness experience is also deeply instructive. Consider these lessons from His wilderness experience.

Lesson 1: Be Prepared to Fast and Pray

When Jesus went to the wilderness, he did the opposite of what the Old Testament Israelites did during their wilderness journey. Whereas they complained about the absence of food and water and the presence of other difficulties, Jesus embraced these things by willingly entering a season of prayer and fasting. Only then was He able to stand up against the satanic attacks that followed. When we face the wilderness, we too must be prepared to fast and pray.

Lesson 2: Know the Word of God and the Voice of God

And the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be turned into bread.” 4 But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ -Matthew 4:3-4

When you face the devil, the Word will tell you what others before you have done. The Apostle Paul explained that Biblical stories are given to give us strength and to enable us to overcome temptation.

Now all these things happened to them for examples. They are written as an admonition to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall. 13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. -1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Lesson 3: Don’t Tempt God

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, and set Him on the highest point of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written,
    ‘He shall give His angels charge concerning you,’ and
    ‘In their hands they shall lift you up,
    lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is also written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’

I have heard ministers claim that Satan was trying to trick Jesus into committing suicide. I doubt this interpretation on many levels. It seems instead that the temptation was to abuse His power and claim glory for Himself. Would Jesus ministry be characterized by the sensational rather than the supernatural? Would He be a self-serving Messiah? Would He employ angels simply for His own benefit? The answer is an emphatic no! Pastor David cautions, “Be careful how you respond to what God does for you in the wilderness. Don’t think that you did it. Don’t claim the glory!” When facing the wilderness, we must refuse to tempt God with our actions or our attitude.

Lesson 4: Realize That the Problems We Face in the Wilderness Are Not About Material Lack

Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur, 9 and said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me. ”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get away from here, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.’” -Matthew 4:8-10

The temptation to believe that the source of our problems is a lack of resources and that it’s ok to compromise in order to obtain them is literally as old as the Bible. Satan tempted Jesus to worship him and skip the suffering. He offered Him “easy” wealth and power. The truth is, there comes a time in life when material possessions won’t fix the issue.

Pastor David recalls, “When my dad got sick with cancer, we had access to all the resources we needed to get him the very best treatment, but that wasn’t enough.” Satan knows that there will be a point when the value of material goods runs out. This is why he wants us to compromise in order to stake everything in this world. Pastor’s father, Larry, knew that his inheritance was laid up in Heaven and because of that, cancer lost. Healing may not have came in this life, but he still left this world undefeated. Don’t let the devil tempt you to put your hope and focus in this world.

I began this blog with Isaiah forty-three, where God promised to do a new thing. He promised to make a way in the wilderness. We can see clearly where He did this in Christ, and where He has done it over and over again. What will that look like in your life? When you face the wilderness and God makes a way, make sure you are looking with eyes of faith. In Luke’s Gospel, this simple summary is given concerning the end of Christ’s temptations, “When the devil had ended all the temptations, he departed from Him until another time. 14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee…” (Luke 4:13-14). Let it be said of us that when we come out of the wilderness, we also return in the power of the Spirit!

You can view the video of this message here: A New Mindset

Bible quotes are taken from the Modern English Version unless otherwise stated

This is the language that is used in the KJV. The MEV uses the word “congregation.”

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