A Word from the Wilderness: Preparing for God's Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: God Speaks in the Wilderness, Not the Halls of Power

In times of chaos and confusion, God’s word does not always come to those in positions of authority or influence, but often to those who are set apart, humble, and willing to listen in the wilderness. The wilderness is a place of isolation, away from the distractions and noise of the world, where God’s voice can be heard most clearly. When you feel overlooked or forsaken, remember that God often chooses the unlikely and the outcast to receive His message and to prepare the way for His work. The wilderness is not a punishment, but a place of divine encounter and revelation, where God meets you right where you are, even in your loneliness and struggle. [08:24]

Luke 3:1-6 (ESV)
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally disconnected from the noise and distractions of daily life to seek God’s voice? What would it look like for you to carve out “wilderness time” this week to listen for His word?

Day 2: The Wilderness Prepares Us for What Is to Come

The wilderness is not just a place of isolation, but a place of preparation. Throughout Scripture, God uses the wilderness to shape, test, and ready His people for the next season of their calling. In the wilderness, the Israelites received God’s law and learned to trust Him as their provider; Jesus was tested and prepared for His ministry; John was given a word to prepare the way for the Lord. Your current struggles, frustrations, and uncertainties are not wasted—they are God’s way of preparing you for greater things ahead. The wilderness is where God equips you, strengthens your faith, and gives you a word that will sustain you and others when you return to the world. [28:23]

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (ESV)
And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Reflection: What is one challenge you are facing right now that could be God’s way of preparing you for something greater? How can you shift your perspective to see your wilderness as preparation rather than punishment?

Day 3: God Lifts the Lowly and Humbles the Proud

God’s promise is that every valley shall be filled and every mountain made low. He lifts up those who are humble, downtrodden, and overlooked, while bringing down those who are proud and self-reliant. No matter how powerless or forgotten you may feel, God sees you and is working to elevate you in due season. At the same time, those who trust in their own strength, status, or resources will be humbled. God’s justice is sure, and He is always working to reverse the world’s broken systems, lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud. [33:04]

James 4:6-10 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to humble yourself before God today? How can you practice humility in your relationships and trust God to lift you up in His timing?

Day 4: God Straightens the Crooked and Transforms Lives

No matter how crooked your path has been, God is able to make it straight. He specializes in transforming lives, taking those who have stumbled, fallen, or lost their way and setting them on a new course. When you come to Jesus, He changes you from the inside out—your walk, your talk, your desires, and your direction. You don’t have to remain defined by your past mistakes or failures; God’s grace is sufficient to make your crooked places straight and to lead you into a new way of living. [35:57]

Isaiah 40:3-5 (ESV)
A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Reflection: Is there a “crooked” area in your life—an attitude, habit, or relationship—that you need to surrender to God for transformation? What step can you take today to invite Jesus to make your path straight?

Day 5: God Removes Obstacles and Brings Salvation to All

God is strong enough to remove every obstacle—whether it’s a personal struggle, a sin in your heart, or an external force like injustice or oppression. His salvation is not limited to a select few, but is available to all people. No matter what stands in your way, God’s power is greater, and He is able to make rough places smooth and open the way for His salvation to be seen and experienced by everyone. Trust that God is working, even when you cannot see it, and that His word will accomplish what He has promised. [37:46]

Psalm 107:13-16 (ESV)
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.

Reflection: What is one obstacle—internal or external—that you need God to remove in your life? Will you trust Him today to break through and bring His salvation and freedom into that area?

Sermon Summary

In a world filled with chaos, manipulation, and uncertainty, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and lost. Yet, even in the midst of darkness, God remains present and active. The story from Luke 3 reminds us that God’s word does not always come to those in positions of power or prestige, but often to those who are set apart, those in the wilderness. John the Baptist, living outside the centers of influence, received a word from the Lord not in the city, not in the temple, but in the wilderness—far from the noise and distractions of society.

This is a powerful reminder that God often meets us in our own wilderness seasons—those times of isolation, struggle, or uncertainty. The wilderness is not a place of punishment, but a place of preparation. Throughout Scripture, God uses the wilderness to shape, refine, and ready His people for what is to come. The Israelites received their identity and learned dependence on God in the wilderness. Jesus Himself was prepared for ministry through wilderness testing. Likewise, our own seasons of loneliness, loss, or confusion are not wasted; they are spaces where God speaks most clearly, away from the competing voices of the world.

The word that comes in the wilderness is a word of hope and transformation. God promises to lift up the humble, to bring down the proud, to straighten what is crooked, and to smooth out the rough places. This is not just a personal promise, but a vision for all people to see God’s salvation. The valleys—those who are downtrodden and overlooked—will be filled. The mountains—those who exalt themselves—will be brought low. The crooked—those who have wandered—will be made straight. The rough—those facing obstacles—will find their paths made smooth.

So, when life feels like a wilderness, do not despair. God is preparing you for something greater. The word you receive in isolation is meant to equip you for impact when you return to the world. Trust that God is at work, even when you cannot see it, and that His word will accomplish what He intends—in your life, in your community, and in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. God Speaks in the Wilderness, Not the Palace God’s word often bypasses the powerful and prestigious, coming instead to those who are set apart and seeking Him in solitude. The wilderness is where distractions are stripped away, making space for divine encounter. If you find yourself in a season of isolation or obscurity, know that you are in a prime position to hear from God. [08:24]
2. The Wilderness Is Preparation, Not Punishment Seasons of struggle, loneliness, or uncertainty are not signs of God’s absence, but of His preparation. In the wilderness, God shapes character, clarifies calling, and imparts wisdom for the journey ahead. Embrace these times as opportunities for growth, trusting that God is equipping you for what is to come. [28:23]
3. Humility Precedes Elevation God promises to lift up the humble and bring down the proud. True elevation in God’s kingdom comes not from self-promotion, but from a posture of humility and dependence on Him. When you allow God to work in your low places, He will exalt you in due season, and your story will testify to His faithfulness. [33:04]
4. God Transforms the Crooked and the Rough No matter how far you have wandered or how many obstacles you face, God is able to straighten what is crooked and smooth out the rough places in your life. Transformation is possible—not by your own strength, but by God’s grace. Surrender your brokenness to Him, and watch as He brings healing and restoration. [35:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:08] - Reflections on Fellowship and Community
[04:55] - A Word for the Wilderness
[06:17] - The Reality of Our Times
[07:00] - Manipulation and Distraction in Society
[08:24] - God’s Word Comes to the Wilderness
[11:38] - Corruption in Power and Religion
[15:04] - The Political Context of the Gospel
[17:58] - John’s Prophetic Call
[21:33] - Disconnecting to Hear God’s Voice
[25:01] - God Meets Us in Chaos
[28:23] - The Wilderness as Preparation
[31:50] - The Word for the Future
[33:04] - God Lifts the Humble
[35:36] - God Straightens the Crooked
[37:15] - God Removes Every Obstacle

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 3:1-6 (ESV) — In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Observation Questions

According to Luke 3:1-6, where was John the Baptist when he received the word of God, and why is this location significant? [08:24]
What kinds of people and leaders are listed at the beginning of Luke 3, and what does the passage say about who actually received God’s word? [08:24]
In the prophecy quoted from Isaiah, what are the four things that God promises to do (valleys, mountains, crooked, rough)? [31:50]
What does the sermon say about the purpose of the wilderness in the lives of God’s people? [28:23]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God choose to speak in the wilderness rather than in places of power or influence? What does this say about how God works? [08:24]
The sermon describes the wilderness as a place of preparation, not punishment. How does this perspective change the way someone might view their own difficult or lonely seasons? [28:23]
The passage says “every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill made low.” What does this mean about God’s heart for the humble and the proud? [33:04]
When the sermon talks about God making the crooked straight and the rough places smooth, what kind of transformation is being described? Is this only personal, or does it have a wider impact? [35:36]

Application Questions

The sermon says that God’s word often comes to those who are set apart and seeking Him in solitude, not to those in the center of power. Have you ever experienced God speaking to you in a “wilderness” season? What did that look like? [08:24]
Are you currently in a season that feels like a wilderness—maybe isolated, uncertain, or struggling? How might God be preparing you during this time, rather than punishing you? [28:23]
The pastor encouraged disconnecting from distractions to hear God’s voice. What are some specific distractions in your life that you need to step away from in order to make space for God? What would it look like to intentionally create “wilderness time” this week? [21:33]
The sermon says, “Humility precedes elevation.” In what areas of your life do you need to practice more humility and dependence on God? How could you take a step toward that this week? [33:04]
When you think about the “crooked” and “rough” places in your life—areas where you feel stuck, broken, or far from God—what would it look like to surrender those to God and trust Him for transformation? [35:36]
The passage and sermon both talk about God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud. Is there a relationship, situation, or habit where you need to let go of pride and allow God to work? [33:04]
The sermon says the word you receive in isolation is meant to equip you for impact when you return to the world. How can you use what God is teaching you in your “wilderness” to encourage or serve others in your community? [28:23]

Sermon Clips

In the midst of all these leaders with all their power, prestige, military, and money, in a time where each of them were ruling and governing, the Bible declares the word came to John in the wilderness. Catch it—Tiberius was emperor, he was known for being one of the greatest Rome had ever experienced. He helped them fix their money problems, he was the most powerful person in the world, and the text does not say that the word came to Tiberius. [00:08:45] (37 seconds) #WildernessWord

Let me pause there for a moment and suggest to you that tied to John's call is the understanding that every human being needs to be held accountable, even if they are political leaders and even if they are high priests, even if they claim to be baptized believers, even if they look like you, talk like you, and grew up right next to you. [00:12:54] (24 seconds) #BowToRome

``The gospel teaches us that yes, there is a Roman oppressor, there is a dominant culture that wants to systematically and institutionally exploit, control, and disparage those who are different, those who are minority, those who are immigrants. But there are also some Harrods and some high priests in pulpits and in church name tags. There are people who look just like you, who talk just like you, who lift their hands up in worship, who know how to say in the name of Jesus at the end of a prayer, but they are not walking in Christ. [00:16:43] (47 seconds) #WordFromTheLord

Keep in mind this was not a word that came from a man. This was not a word that came from a book. This was not a word that came from watching TV. This was not a word that came from mama. This was not a word that came from daddy. This was not a word that came from the preacher. It did not come from the president. It did not come from the high priest. It was a word that came from the Lord. [00:20:44] (22 seconds) #DisconnectToConnect

When you are going through what we've been going through, you need a word from the Lord. You need a wilderness word. You need a word that has not been tainted by men or tainted by women. You need a word. He sends the word to a prophet. He does not send it to the politician. He does not send it to the governor's house. He sends it in the wilderness, eating locusts and honey, to speak truth that nobody wants to hear. [00:21:07] (44 seconds) #NeedWildernessTime

Notice the location of the word—it did not come to John while he was in the city. It didn't even come to John while he was in the church. It came to John when he was in the trees, the sticks. That it did not come to him when he was in Washington DC, it came to him when he stepped away from the confusion, the arguing, the fighting, and the politicking. [00:22:28] (43 seconds) #WordInTheWilderness

Nobody likes the wilderness. Nobody wants to go to the wilderness. But the word comes in the wilderness. You get lonely in the wilderness. It's isolated in the wilderness. You wonder if folks still remember you in the wilderness. Do they still love me in the wilderness? But it is in the wilderness where the word of the Lord shows up. [00:24:49] (21 seconds) #TrueFollowersGoDeep

It is hard to get the word when all you hear are other people's words and then you struggle to discern what is God and what are the people. And so you have to back away. Jesus did it. John did it. So that you can hear a word—a word that only comes when you are isolated from distractions, divert from your normal patterns, and get alone with God. [00:25:53] (37 seconds) #GodPreparesUs

Only the real followers of Jesus are gonna go with you into the wilderness because the wilderness is not flashy, it's not glamorous. You don't go live from the wilderness. You don't get new followers in the wilderness. You don't get a lot of likes in the wilderness. Your separation and going into the wilderness many times is God protecting you and revealing to you who's not good for you. [00:26:50] (37 seconds) #NotStayingInTheWilderness

Every valley shall be filled symbolizes the elevation of the lowly and humble. God lifts the downtrodden. God lifts those who are struggling. God lifts the folk in the wilderness. God lifts those whose snap benefits were cut. God lifts those who've been working without a paycheck. God lifts those who did not have the power. God lifts those who have been denigrated. God lifts those who were lied on. God lifts those who were betrayed. God lifts the humble. Which means if you want to be lifted, you've got to be humble first. Because the pride, the prideful folk get lowered down. [00:32:55] (56 seconds) #GodRemovesObstacles

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