It is significant that not only the children of Israel but also some of the greatest figures in the Bible passed through the wilderness. The Israelites wandered there for many years, sometimes looking back ineffectually to the persecutions and bondage of Egypt as being preferable to the acute problems of finding food and water where there appeared to be none. Yet food and water were found in the arid wilderness, and the Promised Land was finally reached.
Many years later David's path lay through more than one wilderness. Loyally serving his king, he never lost sight of him as "the Lord's anointed" (I Sam. 24:6) even though in a jealous rage Saul pursued the young man to kill him. David's great value to us is seen not so much in the triumph over his enemies and his ascending the throne of Israel as in his ascendancy over the foes of discouragement, fear, jealousy, revenge, and so forth. His loving-kindness, humility, forgiveness, and childlike trust in God provide us with an example which is as touching as it is inspiring.
Then we find Elijah in the wilderness for a season, fleeing before the malicious, wrathful Jezebel, his greatness unrecognized by materiality. But the angels of God sustained and strengthened him. He did not attain the top of the mountain at once; indeed, he hid himself for a while in a cave. But God led him out of that dark experience and up to the mountaintop, where was revealed to him the ephemeral nature of mortal mind, with its violent wind, earthquake, and fire. Then came to him the marvelous comfort and assurance of the still small voice.
