Our journey through the wilderness is the weaning of us from trusting in ourselves, in order that we may trust only in God. The deliverance to Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh brings them into the wilderness and not at once into Canaan. Being in the wilderness implies all sorts of trials. It may seem strange that they who had just been singing the song of triumph and deliverance (Ex. 15) should be allowed to be three days in the wilderness without water, and then, when they came to water, should find it so bitter that they could not drink it. But God permits these trials in order that we may see our own need and prove His faithfulness. From the Red Sea to Sinai, Israel proved the same grace which belongs to us now. Let us remember that though there is plenty of trial in the wilderness, it is the place of the ministration of grace. The Lord brought Israel into the wilderness in order to have them quite alone with Himself, that He might teach them what He was and what they were. It is strange how our hearts cling, not only to the thought of our own righteousness, but also to the practical denial of our not having any strength in ourselves. Many have peace in Jesus who do not see entirely that they have no strength, either for service or for conflict. Well, they learn it in the wilderness.
Adapted from J. N. Darby