July 18

Wilderness Communion

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

God’s goodness sees us being drawn away by sin, and His response is to draw us to Himself with an even stronger pull of love. Do we not remember when the Lord first captivated us, drawing us away from the allurements of the world? He will do this again and again, every time He sees us being enticed by evil.

He promises to draw us aside, not into paradise but into the wilderness, where He can speak to us directly. In the desert of affliction, God’s presence becomes all the more precious, and we value His company more than we ever did when life was easy. Solitude and suffering bring us closer to Him, deepening our relationship with our heavenly Father.

In these moments, God has special words of comfort for us. He “speaks to our hearts,” as the original language suggests. May we experience this promise firsthand—drawn by His love, set apart by trial, and comforted by His Spirit. When we are alone with God, we will find our hearts full of joy and peace.