THE SEASON WHEN GOD ALLOWS YOU TO STAND ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS

“Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Welcome again as we study the Word of God.

Every believer, no matter how spiritually mature, will experience different seasons in life and in faith. Scripture makes this very clear:

Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 (ESV)

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

This means that even the strongest Christian will not always live on the mountain top. There are seasons of joy and peace—but also seasons of tears, uncertainty, silence, and spiritual dryness.

THEOLOGICAL REALITY: GOD SOMETIMES HIDES HIS FACE

In theology this is often called “Divine Hiddenness.” God does not abandon His people, but He may withdraw the sense of His presence so that our faith matures.

Even Jesus experienced this mystery:

Matthew 27:46 (ESV)

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus was not truly forsaken—He was fulfilling prophecy (Psalm 22). Yet emotionally He felt the weight of separation.
Likewise, God sometimes allows believers to feel alone so that they learn to walk by faith, not by feelings.

Paul echoes this:

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

THE PARABLE OF THE NINETY-NINE AND THE ONE LOST SHEEP

Jesus illustrates this principle beautifully in Luke 15:

Luke 15:3–7 (ESV)

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost…?
And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing…
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Notice carefully:
He leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness—not in a fenced pen.
This represents a season when believers feel exposed, vulnerable, and seemingly unattended… yet they are still in God’s will.

WHY DOES GOD “LEAVE” BELIEVERS IN THE WILDERNESS?

1. To Grow Maturity Through Testing

Throughout Scripture, the wilderness is a place of testing and strengthening:

• Israel was tested in the wilderness for 40 years (Deut. 8:2).

• John the Baptist grew strong in the wilderness (Luke 1:80).

• Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested (Matt. 4:1).

The wilderness teaches obedience, endurance, and dependence.

2. To Teach Us to Stand Firm Even Without Emotional Assurance

God matures believers by allowing them to continue trusting Him even when the feelings fade.

Peter describes this as “tested faith”:

1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV)

“…you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold… may be found to result in praise and glory…”

3. Because the Shepherd Is Saving Others

Just as in Luke 15, God is often working to rescue someone else.
Your temporary wilderness is not abandonment—it is assignment.

During such times the enemy whispers,
“God has left you.”
But scripture says:

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

God’s apparent absence is never His true absence.

HOW TO STAND WHEN GOD SEEMS SILENT

1. Stay Where God Placed You

The wilderness has no fence. This is not the time to wander spiritually.
The safest place is the spot where God last instructed you.

Paul encourages stability:

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”

2. Hold Firm to Scripture

When feelings fade, the Word becomes your anchor.

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

3. Resist Temptation and Deception

The wilderness is where the enemy tempts (Matthew 4).
Focus, stay rooted, and avoid anything that would pull you away from the path of salvation.

4. Strengthen and Encourage Others

Even in dryness, God calls you to serve.
Paul commands believers in tough seasons to continue encouraging one another:

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)

“…encouraging one another… as you see the Day drawing near.”

THE “SHOULDERS SEASON” AND THE “WILDERNESS SEASON”

When you first came to Christ, you were like the lost sheep placed on the Shepherd’s shoulders—
you felt His presence everywhere, prayers were answered quickly, and spiritual experiences were strong.

This corresponds with spiritual infancy:

1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk…”

But as you grow, God gently sets you down among the other sheep.
Not to leave you—
but to mature you.

Jesus spoke of those who “believe for a while” but fall away during testing:

Luke 8:13 (ESV)

“…when testing comes, they fall away.”

Understanding God’s purpose in the wilderness prevents spiritual collapse.
Faith must be carefully guarded.

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

“Keep your heart with all vigilance…”

The wilderness is not punishment.
It is not abandonment.
It is not a sign of weak faith.

It is a sign that God trusts you enough to strengthen you.

If you are in that season—remain still, remain faithful, and remain obedient.
Your Shepherd knows exactly where He left you, and He will return in His timing.

Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”

May the Lord bless you, strengthen your faith, and carry you through every season.
Amen.

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