The God Who Whispers in the Wilderness

Growth with God doesn’t always begin in a garden of abundance—it often begins in the silence of the wilderness, where everything else has been stripped away but Him.

Click here to listen to this devotional written and narrated by Dr. Gladys Childs.

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her

into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.”

—Hosea 2:14, ESV

We rarely associate spiritual growth with the wilderness. Instead, Bible-reading plans, worship playlists, and quiet early mornings with coffee come to mind as avenues to spiritual growth. We also relate it to community, mentors, answered prayers, and breakthrough moments—all good things and all necessary in their time.

However, there’s a place that helps deepen our relationship with God, which few of us discuss. It’s quieter, hidden, and misunderstood. Spiritual clichés go there to die, and we birth true intimacy there. That place is the wilderness.

Sometimes, God leads us to the wilderness, but it is not a punishment for our wrongdoings. Our Heavenly Father sends us there because He loves us too much to let the noise of our lives drown out the sound of His voice. In the wilderness, it’s quiet enough for us to listen.

Modern devotionals rarely mention Hosea 2:14, yet the verse reveals something profound: God woos His people into the wilderness. He does it to speak tenderly to them rather than to shame them or strip them down for the sake of brokenness. Let that sink in.

God allures us. He does not drag, push, or manipulate us; He draws us gently. Where does He take us? He brings us into the wilderness—an in-between space where past comforts vanish and new clarity hasn’t arrived yet. “

Growth with God doesn’t always begin in a garden of abundance—it often begins in the silence of the wilderness, where everything else has been stripped away but Him.

I once thought spiritual growth meant more activity—more Scripture study, volunteering, and effort. Some of my most transformative growth resulted from the still ache of waiting for God to answer my prayers. Feeling unseen, I questioned God’s motive and wondered why He was so quiet.

During those moments, I heard God’s whispers again—whispers that went straight to my heart. When applause, approval, or adrenaline no longer sustain us, we hunger for the only thing that truly satisfies us: the voice of our Creator.

In Hosea, God speaks to His unfaithful people—His bride who chased lesser loves. Yet, His response isn’t a cold correction. It’s an invitation to intimacy. He brings her away from everything she once depended on—her idols, her distractions, her delusions—and offers something better: His presence.

Many of us find the wilderness challenging, thinking our wrongdoing led us there. What if the wilderness is the invitation? What if the dry season is the door? We resist it, but God uses it.

In the wilderness, we learn to stop confusing feelings and faithfulness; it's where our neediness becomes sacred ground. We recognize God's voice as the leading sound in our souls, not mere background noise. From that place, growth blooms—the kind that roots deep, produces fruit in season, and holds firm when storms come.

If you want to grow closer to God, ask Him to meet you in the in-between spots, not only on the mountaintops. Seek Him in the barren, not only the breakthrough. The dust of disappointment sometimes overlays the most fertile ground for transformation.

So, how do we grow in our relationship with God? Sometimes, we do so by showing up. At other times, it may involve staying still, letting go of everything else, and reaching for God with empty hands.

Let the wilderness do its work: preparation and refinement. Consider it a means to know God more deeply than you ever thought possible.

And don’t miss what happens next in the book of Hosea. After the wilderness and tender voice, God restores everything. He gives vineyards and turns the Valley of Trouble into a door of hope (v.15). God doesn’t just speak. He rebuilds—because we finally turn toward Him.

So, if today feels silent, your faith feels stripped, and your heart feels dry, don’t rush to fix it. Stay in the stillness. Listen to God because He led you here for a purpose. When God speaks, it’s never empty. His voice turns deserts into gardens.

Take ten minutes today to step away from distractions—no phone, music, or scrolling. Sit in stillness and ask, “God, what are You whispering to me in this wilderness?” Then write it down. Don’t rush the silence. Let it shape you.

Are you experiencing an empty or silent space right now, and could God have led you there to speak tenderly to your soul?

Feel free to leave a comment below and let us know how this devotional has touched your heart. We would love to hear from you!