“Therefore, behold, I will allure her and lead her to the wilderness, and speak to her tenderly. — Hosea 2:14

God says He'll allure His people, lead them into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to them. The wilderness isn't comfortable, but it's where God does His deepest work. "Come out from among them and be separate" (II Cor. 6:17) and He makes you lie down in green pastures. Sometimes He has to get you alone so you can hear His voice—the wilderness isn't punishment; it's courtship.