Finding Rest In The Wilderness

 

“I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.”
-Hosea 2:14-15, NLT

 

 

 

 

There are times when the Lord will allure us away to a seemingly deserted place… purposely lead and draw us away from distractions, routines, comfort, and view, all for the purpose of His desire to speak tenderly to us.

The idea of being drawn away to the wilderness can feel unsettling at first. Sometimes it comes as a temporary season of “forced rest.” Circumstances, health, schedules, closed doors, or various other reasons can pull us away in a place of solitude, like it or not. When all our usual distractions or preoccupations are not available to us, let our spiritual ears perk up… it could be God Himself wants to draw us to Himself and speak into our life or situation. He wants to encourage our hearts, restore our hope, give us vision for the future, and remind us of His promises. A forced rest, a wilderness place, a pulling away from activity, when all our go-to distractions are out of reach, it’s a powerful way God intentionally draws us away so we’ll have the clearest opportunity to hear straight from Him.

And as He speaks love and grace and wisdom to our weary heart, He opens the door to hope. In the very places where we’ve suffered our greatest failures, biggest mistakes, and deepest shame, God sets claim to that same territory in our lives to transform it into a gateway of hope, making us to be fruitful and abundant, no longer barren, no longer ashamed, and gives us a bright future to look forward to.

In the very places where we’ve suffered our greatest failures, biggest mistakes, and deepest shame,God sets claim to that same territory in our lives to transform it into a gateway of hope Share on X

You may be in a wilderness place now. Perhaps as you read this, invite God to help you see where He is right now with you in this place, and what it is He wants to speak tenderly to you. He wants you to hear His voice, receive comfort, and be restored in hope.