The Wilderness and the Silence

We usually ask, “Where are you, God?” in the wilderness. Scripture shows that wilderness is preparation, not punishment.

Israel’s forty years weren’t wasted. God was humbling and testing them, teaching dependence on Him through daily manna. Jesus echoed that in His own desert: “People don’t live by bread alone”. Hungry and tempted to take control, He chose trust over self-reliance. Wilderness trains us to rely on God’s voice, not our convenience.

Formation often feels like distance. Like a child gripping a parent’s finger, we think we can’t walk when the grip loosens. But the Father is still right there - growing us from infants into maturity, teaching us to stand on His promises. Many walked this path: Moses in Midian, Joseph in prison, David in caves, Jesus in the desert. It isn’t always enjoyable, but it is profitable - producing endurance, character, and hope.

The second test is the silence. God’s presence is always with us (omnipresence), but we don’t always feel His nearness (manifest presence). Silence exposes motives: do we seek His hand or His heart? Jesus confronted crowds who followed Him for more bread rather than for who He is. Silence becomes a refining fire where we learn to trust His promises over our fluctuating feelings.

And those promises are clear: “I will never fail you; I will never abandon you.”
"Even in the darkest valley, He is near; His rod and staff comfort us."
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you… I will strengthen you.”
“I am with you always.”
“I will not leave you as orphans.”
"There is nowhere we can flee from His Spirit."

Response

In the dry place, bring your pain close to God. Choose His presence in the wilderness over comfort without Him. Keep stepping - endurance, character, and confident hope are being formed. When you ask, “Where are you?” hear His invitation and answer, “Here I am.”