Sunday Sermon: Survive the Desert, Your Wilderness Season

by Minister Denise N. Fyffe

Sometimes, God puts us in the desert. It’s not a place we choose to go, nor a place we find comfortable. But it is often in the desert seasons of life that God’s purpose becomes clearest. He puts us in the desert to protect us, to prepare us, to train us, to secure us, and to love us. In the wilderness, He draws us close to Himself, away from the distractions, so that He can have us all to Himself. It’s in the desert that we learn who we are in Him, and it’s in the desert that we realize He is enough.

Deuteronomy 8:2 (KJV) says,

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” God uses the wilderness to test us, to humble us, and to reveal what is in our hearts. If we can survive the desert, we can survive anything.

The Purpose of the Desert

The desert is not just a place of hardship. It’s a place of preparation. When you’re in the desert, you have no choice but to rely completely on God. He strips away all the things you’ve been leaning on—whether it’s people, possessions, or positions—until all that’s left is Him. And it’s in that place of dependence that God does His greatest work.

When God led the Israelites into the wilderness, it wasn’t because He wanted them to suffer. It was because He was preparing them for the Promised Land. But before they could enter into the fullness of His promises, they had to learn to trust Him completely. Exodus 13:21 (KJV) tells us,

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.”

In the wilderness, God was always with them—guiding, protecting, and providing. And the same is true for us.

The desert is where God molds us. It’s where we learn to hear His voice in the silence, where our faith is tested and strengthened, and where our dependence on Him is deepened. It’s not an easy place to be, but it is a necessary one.

Facing the Monsters of the Desert

The desert has its own kind of monsters. In the wilderness, we face fears we didn’t even know we had. We encounter temptations and trials that test our endurance. We battle doubt, fear, and even moments of despair. It’s easy to feel weak, alone, and abandoned. But Jehovah God never leaves us, even when we feel like we’re on the brink of giving up.

In the desert, God reminds us that He is our sustenance. Isaiah 41:10 (KJV) tells us,

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

God doesn’t leave us in the desert to fend for ourselves. He feeds us with manna from heaven, shelters us with His presence, and clothes us with His righteousness. Even when we are weak, He is strong.

I Am in My Desert Season

I can speak from experience. Right now, I am in my desert season. It’s a season where I’ve had to learn to trust God in ways I never imagined. It’s a season where I’ve had to let go of things I once thought were essential, and I’ve had to lean entirely on Him. But let me tell you this: God has never left me, nor forsaken me. He has provided for me in ways I could never have foreseen. He has fed me, clothed me, and sheltered me—both physically and spiritually. He has been my refuge in the storm and my strength in the wilderness.

In this season, God has shown me a little of Himself, and I am forever grateful. Psalm 63:1 (KJV) says,

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.”

That’s how I feel—my soul thirsts for God, and He quenches that thirst in the midst of my desert season.

Tomorrow, I Will Stand Victorious

When you see me tomorrow, you will know that I made it through the desert. You will know that God was with me every step of the way, even when I couldn’t see Him. You will know that I faced the monsters of the desert and came out stronger on the other side. James 1:12 (KJV) says,

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

I am holding on to that promise—that after this season, I will emerge stronger, wiser, and more in tune with God’s purpose for my life.

And if you are in your own desert season, hold on. God is with you. He is preparing you for something greater. He is drawing you closer to Himself. He is making you stronger. You may feel alone, but you are not. You may feel weak, but He is your strength.

Conclusion

The desert is not a punishment—it’s a place of preparation. It’s where God refines us, strengthens us, and shows us who He truly is. It’s where we learn that God is enough. If you can survive the desert, you can survive anything. If you’re in your own desert season today, know this: God has not left you, and He will see you through to the other side.

If you are going through a desert season, don’t lose hope. Keep trusting in God’s provision, keep seeking His face, and keep holding on to His promises. He is faithful, and He will bring you through. Isaiah 43:19 (KJV) says, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” God is making a way for you in your desert.

Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being with us in the desert seasons of life. Thank You for protecting us, preparing us, and providing for us when we feel weakest. Lord, we ask for strength to endure, wisdom to learn what You are teaching us, and faith to trust in Your timing. For those of us in a desert season, remind us that You are always with us, and that You are making a way, even when we can’t see it. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Blessing

May the Lord bless you in your desert season. May He give you the strength to endure, the faith to trust, and the peace to know that He is with you every step of the way. And when you come out of the desert, may you stand strong, knowing that God has brought you through. Amen.

I hope you find today’s sermon helpful and applicable to your life. I pray that the Word of God works effectively in your life.

Be encouraged and stay blessed.

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The Invitation

I invite you today to take a deep look at yourself and reflect on your life. Are you searching for something more? Are you satisfied with how things are today? Is God calling you to confess your sins, be baptized and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you been ignoring him? Have you been facing immense hardships and challenges? What can you do to take the first step?

Trust God to help you with that first step.

Be encouraged.

Be bold.

Click here to understand how to Answer the Call or answer the Altar Call.

It shall be well with you, in Jesus mighty name.

And remember, be encouraged.

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About the writer:

Minister Denise N. Fyffe is a devoted Christian, author, and servant of God, whose life is guided by her faith and values. Since accepting Jesus Christ at a young age, she has made it her mission to share her journey. She also shares her knowledge of the Bible with others. Besides her passion for writing, Minister Fyffe is actively involved in outreach, Christian mentorship, and ministering the Word of God.