"I don't need God," said no one dying alone in the desert ever.

We live in a desert. No matter what part of the planet you consider home, you were born in a desert. We walk a scorched path. The place we call home is the wilderness, a dry and weary land where there is no water. It is possible, even probable, that you do not even realize it.

In Genesis chapter 2, humanity was placed in a garden called Eden. According to the Bible, Eden was paradise. In Genesis 3, spiritual terrorism occurs as Satan tempted Adam and Eve to sin with intent to kill. They did sin. Death leaked in. I would have sinned too.

God covered their shame but banished them from Eden to work the ground in the wilderness, and we have been doing life in a desert, outside of the environment God intended for us, ever since. But, our God is good. He didn’t leave us alone without provision.

What does one need to survive in a desert?

Water. Jesus said, “I am living water.”

Shade. The Lord said, “I am the shade at your right hand.”

Shelter. God said he is our “refuge and strength.”

A Guide. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.”

Rest. God gave us Sabbath.

Rescue. Jesus is our “Savior.”

Paradise again. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.”

If we don’t recognize, as the Scripture teaches, that “desert” is a picture of life, then we may fall prey to Satan’s greatest trap: the “I don’t need God” trap. We try to create our own paradise, especially in the West, to prove we don’t need God. We believe the lie most days. But then, the façade crumbles for a moment, and the comfortable world we create for ourselves suddenly gives way to the desert.

  • The death of a child

  • Deep depression

  • A flood

  • A fire

  • Divorce

  • Lost job

  • Disease

  • Betrayal

  • Hopelessness

  • Suicide

  • Loss

  • A tragic accident

  • Trauma

  • Abuse

  • Persecution

  • Addiction

We live in the wilderness. More than anything, we need Jesus. After that, we need each other. Consider these things.

Brian Haynes serves as Lead Pastor of Bay Area Church in League City, Texas. His passion is to help people, families, and churches thrive for the glory of Christ and the expansion of His kingdom. Brian is the creator of the Legacy Milestones strategy designed to inseparably link church and home to equip the generations.