READ: PSALMS 32:1-11; 139:7-10; JEREMIAH 17:7-8

Sometimes, when God seems silent, it’s easier to ask, “Where is God?” than to consider what the silence really means.

There are so many stories in the Bible of God working through people in major ways. Moses led thousands out of slavery, Joseph saved entire nations from starvation, not to mention Jesus—God in human flesh—made the way to save the world from sin and death.

What we often ignore are the stories before the story. God took Moses to the wilderness of Midian before sending him before Pharaoh. Joseph was taken to the figurative wilderness of slavery before becoming a great leader in Egypt and saving the lives of countless people during a famine. Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days before starting His ministry, which would culminate in His death on the cross and victorious resurrection.

Often, God takes people through a wilderness before working in their lives. The key word here is through. He doesn’t just take people to the wilderness and leave them there. No, the wilderness is a training ground. And training grounds are meant for us to pass through, not to stay in. In His faithful timing, God will lead us not just to the wilderness, but through it.

Wildernesses can feel like valleys of isolation and silence. But remember that even in the valley, the Holy Spirit is growing our roots into Jesus Christ. So, if God seems silent, draw in close to Him. Closeness with God requires dropping our walls and getting silent sometimes. It’s often in the silence that we hear God’s truth and experience His love in new and profound ways. As we hear truth, we are trained in truth. And it’s only after we’ve been trained that we can confidently go out from the valley—and onto the battlefield.

Psalm 32:7 says God surrounds us with “shouts of deliverance.” So, embrace the valley for the training ground it is, then go out with the confidence that comes from resting in Jesus’s love—God’s shouts of deliverance leading the way! • Sarah Rexford

• Can you think of a time God used a valley in your life to deepen your relationship with Him and teach you new things about the good news of Jesus? What happened?

• Has God seemed silent to you lately? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about this.

• If you want to dig deeper, read Genesis 37; 50; Exodus 2–3; Romans 5:1-5; 8:31-39; 2 Corinthians 10:1-5; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:6-7; 1 Timothy 1:12-19.

He led his people in the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:16 (CSB)