Wilderness Seasons: "Wilderness Alumni" (Danny Cantelmi)

Scripture References: Hebrews 11:32-40; Exodus 17:1-4; 1 Samuel 30:1-6; Mark 14:32-36; Psalm 18

Intro: Welcome. We're concluding our short series on the wilderness. We've asked: How do we know we're in one? (Pain, paradox, disorientation). What does God do there? (Prepares us, fights for us, teaches trust). Today, we ask the crucial question: How should we respond when facing wilderness seasons? Hebrews 11 reminds us that even heroes of faith wandered in deserts.

Key Points:

1. Wilderness is Part of Faith's Journey: The "Hall of Faith" (Hebrews 11) includes those who achieved great victories and those who endured immense hardship, including wandering destitute in deserts. Wilderness experiences don't negate faith.
2. Lesson from Moses (Exodus 17): Trapped between the Red Sea and the wilderness, facing a thirsty, hostile crowd, Moses felt overwhelmed. His response: He cried out to God, asking, "What shall I do?"
3. Lesson from David (1 Samuel 30): After enemies destroyed his camp and took his family, David's own men wanted to stone him. Devastated, David wept until exhausted, then found strength in the Lord and inquired of Him. (Psalm 18 likely reflects this).
4. Lesson from Jesus (Mark 14): In Gethsemane, facing the cross, Jesus felt deep distress and grief. He brought close friends, fell to the ground, and prayed honestly, asking the Father if the cup could pass, yet submitting to His will.
5. The Crucial Response: Cry Out: In moments of intense pressure, pain, and confusion, the faithful response modeled for us is not self-reliance, despair, or stoicism, but turning towards God and crying out with our needs and honest emotions.
6. The Alternative: Retreat: The temptation in wilderness seasons is often to retreat – to hide from God, believe we're unworthy, rely on our own strength, or become bitter. Crying out requires humility and trust.
7. Cry Out to God, Not Substitutes: Be mindful not just to seek comfort in secondary sources (Christian culture, books, etc.) but to cry out directly to God Himself, seeking His presence and help.

Conclusion: Wilderness seasons will come. Our response determines much. Following the examples of Moses, David, and Jesus, God invites us not to retreat in fear or pride, but to run to Him, crying out honestly, trusting He hears and will strengthen us in the midst of the trial.

Call to Action:

• If you're in a wilderness, identify your typical response: Retreat or Cry Out?
• Choose today to turn towards God, regardless of how you feel.
• Practice honest prayer: Tell God exactly what you're feeling and needing. Cry out to Him.
• Seek God Himself first, above answers or other comforts.

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