Daily Read “ Genesis 5:1-7:24; Matthew 3:7-4:11; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 1:10-19
   
The word wilderness in the Greek Lexicon is eremos and is translated to mean: solitary, lonely, desolate, isolated, and deserted.
 
The more we surrender to the plans and purposes God has for our lives, the deeper His illuminating light penetrates into places of brokenness within our soul.
 
You begin entering into seasons of the wilderness. Other descriptions include, the dark night of the soul; the valley; or hiddenness. During these times, you may feel that God has left you, or is upset with you because you are unable to feel or hear Him as you did before. We know in our hearts that He will never leave us, but it sure can feel like He has at certain times in our lives.  
 
Remember when Jesus was in the agony of His passion on the cross when He cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus identified with everything that we feel as human beings on this earth; however, the difference between Jesus and us is He knew how to quickly respond to His Spirit. As a result, He endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. He could see in the Spirit His bride waiting for Him on the other side of His obedience.
 
How could Jesus walk this earth and endure such agony on the cross? He developed the ability to walk in His Spirit instead of the flesh and soul. His character was perfect because He was willing to enter into times of "wilderness" where His Father could have His will with Him. What was the first thing that happened to Jesus after being baptized by John in the Jordon? The Spirit took Him to the wilderness to be tested.
 
You see, in the season of the wilderness, instead of the Lord moving away from us, He moves even closer. These are times when our loving Abba Daddy takes us in His arms to reveal His image and likeness within us.  If we press into the Lord during these times, even when our flesh is screaming, "No!", we will begin to lose ourselves to the Spirit.
 
The Lord, in His gentle way begins to strip away those areas in our lives that bring death. He begins to strip our flesh away, which in turn allows more of Him to shine through. If we humbly submit to God during these times, we will truly understand the meaning of the scripture in James 4:7 that says, "Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee."
 
If we fight God during these times, they will last and last and last.  The quicker we bow our knee, the quicker we fulfill our destinies in God.  It is all about entering into the upgrade of God in our lives.

Father God, as an act of my will, I choose to embrace Your sovereign and loving work in my life during this season.  I repent for continually pushing my plans and agendas and resisting Yours.  Jesus, You are the example of what surrender to Your Father's will looks like.  Holy Spirit, help me to run into Your arms as You lead through times of the wilderness.  I want those deep places of my soul healed so I can enter and possess my upgrade!