\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBlessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/em> Every believer, no matter how spiritually mature, will experience different seasons<\/strong> in life and in faith. Scripture makes this very clear:<\/p>\n \u201cFor everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: This means that even the strongest Christian will not always live on the mountain top. There are seasons of joy and peace\u2014but also seasons of tears, uncertainty, silence, and spiritual dryness.<\/p>\n In theology this is often called \u201cDivine Hiddenness.\u201d<\/strong> God does not abandon His people, but He may withdraw the sense of His presence<\/em> so that our faith matures.<\/p>\n Even Jesus experienced this mystery:<\/p>\n \u201cMy God, my God, why have you forsaken me?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Jesus was not truly forsaken\u2014He was fulfilling prophecy (Psalm 22). Yet emotionally He felt the weight of separation. Paul echoes this:<\/p>\n \u201cFor we walk by faith, not by sight.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Jesus illustrates this principle beautifully in Luke 15:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness<\/strong> and go after the one that is lost\u2026? Notice carefully: Throughout Scripture, the wilderness is a place of testing and strengthening<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Israel was tested in the wilderness for 40 years (Deut. 8:2).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n John the Baptist grew strong in the wilderness (Luke 1:80).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness<\/em> to be tested (Matt. 4:1).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The wilderness teaches obedience, endurance, and dependence.<\/p>\n God matures believers by allowing them to continue trusting Him even when the feelings fade.<\/p>\n Peter describes this as \u201ctested faith\u201d:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith<\/strong>\u2014more precious than gold\u2026 may be found to result in praise and glory\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Just as in Luke 15, God is often working to rescue someone else. During such times the enemy whispers, \u201cI will never leave you nor forsake you.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n God\u2019s apparent absence is never His true absence.<\/p>\n The wilderness has no fence. This is not the time to wander spiritually. Paul encourages stability:<\/p>\n \u201cBe steadfast<\/strong>, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n When feelings fade, the Word becomes your anchor.<\/p>\n \u201cYour word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The wilderness is where the enemy tempts (Matthew 4). Even in dryness, God calls you to serve. \u201c\u2026encouraging one another\u2026 as you see the Day drawing near.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n When you first came to Christ, you were like the lost sheep placed on the Shepherd\u2019s shoulders\u2014 This corresponds with spiritual infancy:<\/p>\n \u201cLike newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n But as you grow, God gently sets you down among the other sheep. Jesus spoke of those who \u201cbelieve for a while\u201d but fall away during testing:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026when testing comes, they fall away.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Understanding God\u2019s purpose in the wilderness prevents spiritual collapse. \u201cKeep your heart with all vigilance\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The wilderness is not punishment. It is a sign that God trusts you enough to strengthen you.<\/p>\n If you are in that season\u2014remain still, remain faithful, and remain obedient. \u201cEven though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil<\/strong>, for you are with me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n May the Lord bless you, strengthen your faith, and carry you through every season. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Welcome again as we study the Word of God.<\/p>\n\n
Ecclesiastes 3:1\u20134 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted\u2026
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nTHEOLOGICAL REALITY: GOD SOMETIMES HIDES HIS FACE<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n
Matthew 27:46 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Likewise, God sometimes allows believers to feel alone<\/em> so that they learn to walk by faith<\/strong>, not by feelings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nTHE PARABLE OF THE NINETY-NINE AND THE ONE LOST SHEEP<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n
Luke 15:3\u20137 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing\u2026<\/em>
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
He leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness<\/strong>\u2014not in a fenced pen.
This represents a season when believers feel exposed, vulnerable, and seemingly unattended\u2026 yet they are still in God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n
\nWHY DOES GOD \u201cLEAVE\u201d BELIEVERS IN THE WILDERNESS?<\/strong><\/h1>\n
1. To Grow Maturity Through Testing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
2. To Teach Us to Stand Firm Even Without Emotional Assurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
1 Peter 1:6\u20137 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Because the Shepherd Is Saving Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Your temporary wilderness is not abandonment\u2014it is assignment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod has left you.\u201d
But scripture says:<\/p>\n\n
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nHOW TO STAND WHEN GOD SEEMS SILENT<\/strong><\/h1>\n
1. Stay Where God Placed You<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The safest place is the spot where God last instructed you.<\/p>\n\n
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Hold Firm to Scripture<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Resist Temptation and Deception<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Focus, stay rooted, and avoid anything that would pull you away from the path of salvation.<\/p>\n4. Strengthen and Encourage Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Paul commands believers in tough seasons to continue encouraging one another:<\/p>\n\n
Hebrews 10:24\u201325 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nTHE \u201cSHOULDERS SEASON\u201d AND THE \u201cWILDERNESS SEASON\u201d<\/strong><\/h1>\n
you felt His presence everywhere, prayers were answered quickly, and spiritual experiences were strong.<\/p>\n\n
1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Not to leave you\u2014
but to mature you.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/h1>\n
\n
Luke 8:13 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Faith must be carefully guarded.<\/p>\n\n
Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/h1>\n
It is not abandonment.
It is not a sign of weak faith.<\/p>\n
Your Shepherd knows exactly where He left you, and He will return in His timing.<\/p>\n\n
Psalm 23:4 (ESV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n