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God uses these wilderness experiences to cleanse us as well. Moses provides a prime example. As a younger man, he behaved impulsively. Forty years of desert seclusion helped “squeeze the Egypt” out, maturing him to the point he was ready to lead his people out of bondage. These times also provide preparation. It’s been suggested that the apostle Paul spent his time in Arabia reviewing the law and prophets, focusing this time on their pointing to Jesus. Whatever the case, who can deny that separation from the world often furnishes the best classroom? “That all sounds nice,” one might say, “but my schedule would never allow for such extended isolation,” which is where solitude comes in. I think we grossly underestimate the amount of solitude that key Biblical characters engaged in through the course of their ministries. David is a prime example. As a shepherd, he spent a great deal of his younger years alone, tending sheep. Even as king, it would not be unusual to find him hanging out in a cave rather than sitting on the throne. No doubt, he benefited greatly from such times as he faced constant crises in leadership. As we consider the key principles for thriving in a crisis, next: Expect help from unexpected sources. Rather than send Elijah to a wealthy merchant with a cupboard full of food for help, God directed him to a poor widow–a poor Gentile widow at that. This brings Rahab, another Gentile, to mind. When two spies representing Joshua needed protection and subsequent help escaping danger in Jericho, this Gentile prostitute came through with flying colors. Her appearance in the genealogy of Jesus adds to the amazement (Matthew 1:5). When Haman, chief minister of Persian King Ahasuerus, hatched a plan to annihilate the Jews, Queen Esther intervened to save them. What’s amazing is that Esther was a Jew herself,

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