Daily Devotional – Thursday, May 28, 2026
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...
Deuteronomy 8:2 (NKJV)
They had wandered in the desert for forty years. Now they stood at the border of the Promised Land. Before they crossed over, however, Moses gave the Israelites a powerful reminder. He wanted them to remember the experience God had taken them through. Even with the attendant difficulties, God had never stopped leading them.
The Purpose of Difficult Seasons
Indeed, the wilderness had not been wasted years. God was not only taking them to a new land. He was working on their hearts along the way. Difficult times brought out fear, pride, complaining and self-reliance. They also learned that God could provide for them even when life was uncertain and uncomfortable.
Many of us would rather skip wilderness seasons altogether. We like instant answers, clarity and consistency. Nevertheless, we learn some of the most profound lessons when life slows down and removes the familiar comforts. Difficult seasons often reveal what is happening inside us. They show us where our trust really is and if we are leaning more on ourselves than on God.
Why God Allows Wilderness Seasons
God provided for His people day by day. He fed them, led them, and stayed with them through all their blunders. The Israelites could look back and see that God had been faithful all along. Like the children of Jacob, we often recognise God’s silent provision after we have already passed through the most difficult moments.
If your life feels uncertain right now, don’t assume God has abandoned you. The wilderness is a hard place, but it can be a place where faith is nurtured and hearts are softened. The same God who led Israel through the desert can lead and sustain and strengthen His people today. Will you submit to His leadership today and always?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to trust You in hard times and remind me that even in the desert Your faithful hand leads me day by day. Your faithful hand leads me day by day.
