Exodus 17:15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.
TIME TO BUILD AN ALTAR OF FELLOWSHIP
An altar is a place of constant fellowship with God. In the old testament, an altar is a physical or raised platform where sacrifices are offered.
God was so concerned about the altar in Leviticus to the extent that he gave an instruction about it saying: "The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out"(Leviticus 6:13).
In this new testament era, an altar is no longer a physical/ raised platform but a lifetstyle of constant fellowship and communion with the father. Though some have chosen to have a specific place to pray and study bible, that's fine but beyond that, the lifestyle/ habit of fellowship is much more important.
During life challenges, God want to develop a relationship with you. God want you to build an altar of communion with him. Sometimes, we don't take private fellowship seriously until we face life's challenges.
One of the reasons for the wilderness experience is that it is a time where an altar of fellowship can be built. While in Egypt, the Israelite couldn't build an altar for God. They were occupied with hard labour so they had no time to fellowship with their maker.
God's desire is that we worship Him in Spirit&truth(John4:24). If they had passed through the shortest route to the promised land,Moses wouldn't have been able to build an altar.
A virile private& personal fellowship is important to God. God want to talk with you and commune with you as friend. That is only possible when you have a virile fellowship with him. Your prayer life and word study life needs to be revived.
You don't beg a man in the wilderness to be closer to God in the word and in prayers because there are so many battles to conquer before entering into the promised land. The earlier you had recognized that your wilderness season is for a purpose the quicker your exit would be.
Father, I receive the grace to fellowship with you constantly In Jesus name.