The Wilderness: Choosing Jesus in the Dry Places

What do you do when you don’t feel close to God? Every follower of Jesus will experience seasons that feel dry, confusing, or difficult. In The Wilderness Choosing Jesus in the Dry Places, Mona DeVous reminds us that the wilderness is not a place to give up on God. Instead, it is an opportunity to seek Him more deeply, trust His Word, and grow in our dependence on Him. Teaching primarily from Psalm 63, Mona points to David’s example of pursuing God even while living in a dry and thirsty land. Rather than allowing his circumstances to determine his faith, David chose to seek the Lord, praise Him, remember His faithfulness, and hold fast to His promises.

Choosing Jesus When You Don’t Feel Him

Feelings are real, but they should never become the foundation of our faith. Mona challenges believers with a simple but powerful reminder: “When we don’t feel Him, we especially need to read the Word.” Jesus modeled this perfectly in Matthew 4. When He faced temptation in the wilderness, He answered every attack with the truth of Scripture. Instead of reacting to circumstances or emotions, He stood firmly on what God had already spoken.

The Wilderness Reveals Our Hearts

Throughout Scripture, God often uses wilderness seasons to shape His people. Looking at Deuteronomy 8:2, Psalm 139:23–24, and Jeremiah 29:13, Mona explains that difficult seasons expose what is in our hearts and invite us to seek God with our whole heart. Rather than resisting the wilderness, believers can embrace it as a place where God teaches dependence, strengthens faith, and draws His people into deeper communion with Him. As Mona says, “David wasn’t looking for relief. He was looking for communion with God.”

Choosing Jesus Together

The temptation during difficult seasons is often to withdraw and isolate ourselves. However, God designed His people to encourage, strengthen, and walk alongside one another. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Mona reminds us that we were never meant to face the wilderness alone. Healthy friendships, strong families, and an active church family help us remain faithful when life becomes challenging.

Continue Choosing Jesus

Whether you are walking through a wilderness season today or preparing for one in the future, this message calls believers to seek Jesus before seeking relief, answer life’s challenges with God’s Word, and remain connected to the family of God. As you listen, you’ll be encouraged to trust God’s faithfulness, surrender your heart to Him, and continue choosing Jesus, even in the dry places.

Key Scriptures

Psalm 63:1–8, Matthew 4:1–11, Deuteronomy 8:2, Psalm 139:23–24, Jeremiah 29:13