David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God didn't deliver him into his hand. 1 Samuel 23:14 WEB.

Once upon a time, after a month-long fast, we bought a wood smoker. You could call it a rebound effect. A wood smoker works like an outdoor slow cooker and often takes all day. One of the first things we made was smoked beef brisket, which I had never bought before.

During the process, I learned that the brisket is one of the toughest pieces of meat. While trimming it, I couldn't find a knife in our house that cut it properly. After going through several, I had to sharpen one, especially for the task. We wrestled with it all over the counter as we tried to hold it down and trim off the excess fat. Just trying to insert a meat thermometer into it would push it around the countertop like a rock. It attempted to shoot off the countertop a couple of times like a flushed quail.

After trimming, we coated the brisket with a 50/50 salt pepper rub that evening and then put it in the refrigerator overnight. The next day we placed it in the smoker at 275f directly on the rack for 6 hours. Then we removed it, wrapped it tightly in butcher paper, and put it back in at 225f overnight. It had cooked for almost 24 hours when we removed the brisket from the smoker the following day. It was so tender you could pull it apart with your fingers. You no longer needed a knife at all. So now, the toughest cut of meat had become the most tender, but it took time, heat, and patience, a lot of it.

David was called, David was anointed, but he needed something else: Preparation. David had to run and hide from Saul in caves for years, even though he had already been anointed as king by Samuel. The Spirit of God had left Saul and was with David instead (1 Samuel 18:12). Yet, David went through many battles and struggles before he came out of the wilderness and became the king.

Moses spent forty years living as a simple shepherd in the wilderness, preparing to care for God's sheep (Acts 7:30). Though he had been a strong fiery young man, God only chose to use him after he turned eighty. After thoroughly preparing him in isolation, Moses came out of the wilderness in power.

John the baptist was hidden away in the wilderness until the time came for him to give his message (Luke 3:2-3). "During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

Jesus was the perfect Man, sinless, blameless, and without fault. Yet, He spent forty days in the wilderness before He began His ministry. It was a time of testing (Mark 1:13). Then Jesus came out of the wilderness, walking in the power of God.

The trials you face prepare and equip you for what God has in store for you. Many like me have been hardened by life, but God would rather us be tender and loving. If you are ever going to do something meaningful, you will have to spend some time in the wilderness. When you come out, you will be experienced, see things differently, and have a testimony to share with others. God has a patient way of softening even the toughest of us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I look to You in faith today. I know that the plans that You have for me are good. I don't understand some of the things that I am going through, but I choose to trust You because You love me and know best. Please guide my steps today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Today is "Feel Good Friday" at the FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) group! On this day, we uplift each other with posts of encouragement and joy! All are welcome to join and participate! As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.