Finding Faith and Growth in Life's Wilderness

Devotional

Day 1: God Refines Us in the Furnace of Our Forests

Seasons of uncertainty, isolation, or discomfort can feel like wandering through a dense, unfamiliar forest, but it is in these very places that God deepens our roots and refines our faith. Just as David was shaped in the wilderness, God uses our own “forests” to prepare us for what He has ahead, teaching us lessons we could not learn in comfort or ease. When life feels disorienting or overwhelming, remember that God is sovereign and uses even the hardest circumstances to draw us closer to Him and shape us for eternity. [36:37]

1 Samuel 23:14-15 (ESV)
"And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh."

Reflection: What is one area of your life right now that feels like a wilderness or furnace, and how might God be using it to deepen your faith or prepare you for something ahead?

Day 2: Handling Betrayal Like Jesus

Betrayal is a painful reality, whether it comes from friends, coworkers, or even family, but we are in good company—Jesus Himself was betrayed by one of His closest followers. Instead of retaliating or becoming bitter, we are called to trust God’s justice and make room for Him to work, knowing that He feels our pain and will ultimately bring about what is right. When you are hurt by others, remember that God is with you in your affliction and calls you to respond with humility and trust, just as Jesus did. [46:59]

Romans 12:19 (ESV)
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Reflection: Think of a time when you were betrayed or hurt by someone close—how can you choose today to trust God with your pain instead of seeking your own justice?

Day 3: Following God One Step at a Time

God often leads us without revealing the whole path, asking us to trust Him moment by moment, just as He led David through the wilderness and Israel through the desert. When life feels out of control or you don’t know the next step, God invites you to surrender your plans and let Him guide you, promising that His Word will be a lamp to your feet, illuminating just enough for the next step. Walking by faith means letting go of the need to control every outcome and believing that God’s best comes to those who leave the choice up to Him. [56:22]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel the need to know the whole plan before moving forward, and how can you practice trusting God with just the next step today?

Day 4: God’s Presence in Dry and Desolate Places

Even in the driest, most barren seasons of our spiritual lives, God is present and able to work in ways we would never expect, using our discomfort to get our attention and refine our faith. Like David in the wilderness of Ziph, we may not understand how God is using our circumstances, but He is always able to protect, provide, and shape us, regardless of how things appear. Instead of seeking comfort or escape, we are called to look for where God fits in and allow Him to use our challenges to draw us closer to Him. [01:05:23]

Psalm 63:1 (ESV)
"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

Reflection: In what “dry” area of your life do you need to intentionally seek God’s presence and ask Him to show you how He is working, even if you can’t see it yet?

Day 5: The Gift of Godly Friendship and Encouragement

God often refines us and strengthens our faith through the encouragement of friends who point us back to Him, just as Jonathan did for David in the wilderness. True friends comfort our fears, remind us of God’s promises, and reassure us of His work in our lives, helping us to stand firm when we feel weak or uncertain. Treasure the friends who strengthen your hand in God, and look for ways to be that kind of friend to others, offering encouragement that is rooted in God’s truth and presence. [01:08:55]

1 Samuel 23:16-18 (ESV)
"And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, 'Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.' And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home."

Reflection: Who is one person you can encourage in their faith this week—how can you intentionally strengthen their hand in God with your words or actions?

Sermon Summary

Life often leads us into seasons that feel like wandering through a dense, unfamiliar forest—times of uncertainty, isolation, and even betrayal. These are not random or wasted moments; rather, they are God’s chosen “seminary” for our souls, just as He used the wilderness to prepare David for kingship. In 1 Samuel 23, David is on the run from Saul, facing not only the threat of death but also the sting of betrayal from those he had just rescued. It’s in these “forests” of life—where the path is unclear and the comforts are few—that God does some of His deepest refining work in us.

The wilderness is uncomfortable, but it is also a place where our roots grow deeper and our faith is purified. Like David, we may find ourselves disoriented, asking God why we are here and what He is trying to teach us. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that God draws us closer, teaching us to trust Him step by step, even when we cannot see the whole path ahead. The story of David’s betrayal by the people of Keilah reminds us that even after we have poured ourselves out for others, we may still be let down. But we are in good company—Jesus Himself was betrayed by one of His closest friends. Our response, then, is not to retaliate, but to trust God’s justice and make room for Him to work.

God’s sovereignty means that nothing surprises Him. When life feels out of control, He is still guiding us, often one uncertain step at a time. The journey may seem sporadic and the landscape barren, but God is present, protecting and shaping us for what lies ahead. Even in the driest, most desolate places, He is able to use our circumstances to deepen our relationship with Him, if we will let Him.

Finally, God often brings friends into our lives—like Jonathan for David—who strengthen us in the Lord. These friends remind us of God’s promises, encourage us not to fear, and affirm the work God is doing in us. In the furnace of our forests, God refines us through trials, through His presence, and through the gift of faithful friends, preparing us for the future He has planned.

Key Takeaways

1. God Refines Us in the Wilderness Seasons of uncertainty and discomfort are not wasted; they are God’s chosen tools to deepen our faith and prepare us for greater things. Just as David’s time in the wilderness was his training ground for kingship, our own “forests” are where God shapes our character and draws us closer to Himself. Embrace these times as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles to avoid. [36:37]
2. Betrayal Is Part of the Journey—But We Are Not Alone Experiencing betrayal, especially from those we have helped or loved, is deeply painful. Yet, even Jesus was betrayed by a close friend, showing us that we are in good company. Our call is not to retaliate, but to trust God’s justice and remember that He feels our pain and stands with us in our suffering. [46:59]
3. Trust God to Lead One Step at a Time God rarely reveals the entire path ahead; instead, He invites us to follow Him moment by moment. Like David and his men, who moved “wherever they could go,” we are called to walk by faith, trusting that God knows the way even when we do not. Surrendering control allows God to do more in and through us than we could ever imagine. [53:58]
4. God’s Presence Is Not Limited by Our Comfort We often believe that God can only work when we are comfortable or when circumstances are ideal. But God’s ability to act is not dependent on our comfort; He is able to use even the driest, most barren seasons to accomplish His purposes. Ask yourself where God fits into your current situation, and allow Him to use your challenges to refine your faith. [61:40]
5. The Gift of Faithful Friends God often sends people into our lives who strengthen us in Him, just as Jonathan did for David. These friends encourage us, remind us of God’s promises, and help us see His hand at work in our lives. Treasure these relationships, and be willing to both receive and offer encouragement that points others back to God. [68:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:21] - Opening Prayer and Surrender
[34:43] - The Power of Worship and Remembrance
[36:37] - Camping, Glamping, and Life’s Forests
[42:28] - David’s Rescue and Keilah’s Betrayal
[46:59] - Jesus and the Pain of Betrayal
[50:00] - God Feels Our Affliction
[53:58] - Following God Step by Step
[56:22] - God’s Guidance in Uncertainty
[60:33] - The Wilderness of Ziph: A Place of Refining
[61:40] - God’s Ability in Our Barren Places
[65:23] - God’s Protection and Sovereignty
[68:55] - The Gift of Jonathan’s Friendship
[71:00] - God’s Greater Presence Within Us
[72:00] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 23:13-18 (ESV) — 13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition.
14 And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.
15 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.
16 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.
17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.”
18 And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Samuel 23:13-14, what did David and his men do after learning Saul was coming, and how did God protect David during this time?
What was Jonathan’s role when he visited David in the wilderness, and what specific things did he say to encourage David? (v.16-17)
How did the people of Keilah respond to David after he rescued them, and what does this reveal about their relationship with him? [42:28]
In the sermon, what kind of place was the “wilderness of Ziph,” and why is it significant that God used this place in David’s life? [01:00:33]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God allow His people, like David, to go through seasons of uncertainty, isolation, or betrayal? What is the purpose of these “wilderness” times? [36:37]
The sermon mentions that even after helping others, David was betrayed by those he served. What does this teach about the reality of betrayal in the Christian life, and how should believers respond? [46:59]
Jonathan’s encouragement to David focused on God’s promises and presence. Why is it important to have friends who point us back to God during hard times? [01:08:55]
The sermon says God rarely reveals the whole path ahead, but leads us step by step. What does this reveal about God’s character and our need for faith? [53:58]

Application Questions

Can you think of a time when you felt like you were in a “wilderness” season—uncertain, isolated, or betrayed? How did you see God working in you during that time, or are you still waiting to see? [36:37]
David was betrayed by the very people he helped. Have you ever experienced betrayal from someone you cared for or served? How did you respond, and what would it look like to trust God’s justice instead of retaliating? [46:59]
The sermon says God leads us “one step at a time.” Is there an area in your life right now where you want to see the whole plan, but God is only showing you the next step? What would it look like to surrender control and trust Him today? [53:58]
The wilderness of Ziph was dry and barren, yet God used it to shape David. Are there “dry” or uncomfortable areas in your life right now? How might God be using these to deepen your faith or draw you closer to Him? [01:01:40]
Jonathan encouraged David by reminding him of God’s promises. Who are the “Jonathans” in your life—friends who strengthen your faith? How can you intentionally encourage someone else this week who might be in a wilderness season? [01:08:55]
The sermon challenges us to ask, “Where does God fit into my current situation?” Take a moment to reflect: In your present challenges, are you making space for God to work, or are you trying to fix things on your own? What is one practical way you can invite God into your situation this week? [01:01:40]
When was the last time you allowed yourself to receive help or encouragement from a friend, even if you didn’t ask for it? Is it hard for you to be vulnerable and accept support? Why or why not? [01:08:55]

Sermon Clips

And while you would look at David from a bird's eye view and say, oh, no, this is a horrible time for David. And yet at the same time, God used this as his seminary for David's life, his training to be the king, the next king of Israel. And so we find David in the wilderness, in the forest, if you will. [00:35:53]

Well, in a similar way, God brings you and I into forests in our lives that feel uncertain, isolated, and even a little foreboding at times. And as we're trying to feel our way around, we can feel a little disoriented. And the path during those seasons of being in the wilderness or the forest, it doesn't always seem so clear, does it? You say, all right, well, what is God trying to show me? This is a challenging time, but what's going on? And when you feel a little isolated, that's when God can draw you closer to himself. But it's in these forests where he causes our roots also to go deeper. It's in the forest where God causes our faith to be refined. [00:39:04]

But we always realize that God, the Bible says that God is sovereign. That means he is in complete control of every circumstance we go through. So what may seem challenging, like something we would never want to do on our own, the Bible says God extracts from that lessons for our faith that will make us better people for him. Because why? He's preparing us for eternity, man. [00:40:40]

God's working in his life to show him the principles that David would never have learned anywhere else. And God might not have been able to entrust those lessons to anyone else if they didn't have a close relationship with the Lord like David. [00:41:27]

Maybe you've had somebody that was really close to you. You've been stabbed in the back by somebody who pretended to be your friend. Maybe they started to gossip about you behind your back. Maybe you've been betrayed by a coworker who tried to make you look bad so that they could look better in the eyes of their peers. Maybe you had a spouse who betrayed you by committing adultery. In all these areas, we step back and we say, why God does this happen? And more importantly, what should we do in response to these situations, especially as Christians? [00:46:19]

Well, I think first and foremost, we come to that point where we realize this is one of the things that God wants to help refine us in that furnace time. Things heat up. We're filled with this response like, I don't know what to do. I'm angry. I'm hurt. I'm, I don't know what's going on. And so the first thing we do when we're betrayed is we remember we're in good company because Jesus himself went through betrayal. [00:46:59]

So the first thing is when we want to know how to respond, realize that Jesus went through it. And when Judas betrayed Jesus and he kissed him, the Bible says that Jesus slapped him down to the ground, right? No, but sometimes that's what we want to do, isn't it? We're like, you know, where are you parked in the parking lots? I'm going to, you know, how are you going to drive when your tires are? No, no, we don't do that. But so we, but we think that our flesh just like gets into it, right? So we're in good company. Jesus just trusted that God was in control. That's what we do as well. [00:48:20]

But we remember that God's justice is final. There's no court of appeals for God's justice. When he intervenes in your life, he knows everything that you've gone through. He knows every betrayal. He knows every slight. He knows when somebody is acting like a friend, but then they turn around and they, they hurt you. [00:49:08]

David was so commendable in what he did after learning that these people were going to do this to him. So we want to give God room at the same time. The Bible says in Romans 12, 19, beloved, don't avenge yourself, but rather give place to wrath for it is written. Vengeance is mine. I will repay. Says the Lord. [00:49:30]

Whenever you go through something, your heavenly father feels it at the same time. Better yet, Jesus feels it as well. Well, the only man -made things we're going to see in heaven are the scars on Jesus's body. That's when he was betrayed. He came to his own and his own received him not. [00:50:26]

And that is where we see David so much like Jesus, who in humility spared us from Satan, from God's righteous judgment when he went on the cross to die for you and I. That's how David is so much like Jesus. [00:51:39]

They had no plans. They have no tactical response, no egress route. They got up immediately after God spoke to them. And notice what they did. Wherever they could go, they trusted God to lead them one moment at a time without knowing where they were going ultimately. See, this is another way that God helps us to be refined in the furnace of our force at times. He teaches us, you and I, how to be willing to follow God one step at a time. [00:53:19]

Let me tell you something. When God comes into your life, when Jesus is a part of your life, you don't become less of what you used to be. You become a better version of what God always intended for you to be. And you'll look back and go, why didn't I do this before? I've never had a single regret for surrendering to the Lord. [00:54:47]

When David was following the Lord, he was in the town of Keilah, the strongholds of, uh, in, in the wilderness several times in the mountains, in the wilderness of Ziph, in the woods, in the hill of Hakila, south of Jeshimon, another place south of Jeshimon, in the wilderness of Mahon as well. God was supervising all of those times that seemed sporadic and out of control. See, when, when your life feels like it's out of control, turning to the Lord will give you his peace and help you to see the next steps that he wants you to take. [00:57:23]

So ask yourself, when was the last time you allowed God to lead you one step at a time? If it's been a while, is it because you're afraid to surrender control or you're afraid to get out of your comfort zone? Or are you afraid of what God is going to show you? Trust him. God gives his best to those who leave the choice up to him. [00:58:37]

Even in the most desolate times, the most dry areas of our relationship with God, he will use places and methods and ways that you would never expect God to work through. Is there a situation right now you're going, I don't see how God's using this. This is dry. My relationship with the Lord right now, I'm in a period and it's just barren. I don't understand. Well, maybe God is trying to use that to get your attention to look up. [01:02:25]

Your comfort has no bearing on what God is able to do in and through your life, if you'll just trust him. That's where God fit in, in David's location. What is, where does God fit into your life right now? How are you letting the Lord use the challenges of your dry circumstances refine your faith? [01:03:26]

How many things has God been protecting you and I from? How many things that we could, you know, because of our own choices, because of circumstances, we think, oh man, here it comes. No, the Lord intervenes. That's God's mercy. He's not giving us what we deserve because he's good. [01:05:02]

If you're going through a difficult time, if you're going through a wilderness, God will refine you through the furnace that's in some of our forest through your friends. Isn't it good just to have a friend who's going to be there for you? You might not even ask that friend to be there for you. You say, well, I didn't ask for that. Well, that's fine. But you know what? Love gives without asking. That's what love does. [01:06:16]

What you need more than anything right now is not to win the lottery, you know, not to, you know, have a, you know, a great body or wonderful complexion or have, you know, this great house. What you and I need more than anything is a strong relationship with God. [01:07:35]

How encouraging is it, I should say, when somebody believes in what God is doing in your life? Isn't there, there's nothing like that. When you're down, when you're out, when you're feeling like, I don't know what's going on, they come alongside and say, you know what? God has you. He knows what's going on and I can see God working in your life. How encouraging is that for you and I? It meant a lot for David. [01:10:01]

Listen, God refines us in the furnace of our forest through teaching us how to handle betrayal like Jesus did, showing us how to follow him one step at a time, teaching us where he fits into our lives if we'll stop and we'll wait upon him. And then he also reminds us that even though the world, the flesh, and the devil may be against us, the Bible says in 1 John 4, 4, greater is he who is within us than he who is within the world. [01:10:25]

May you find encouragement in the Lord bringing you to those dry places this week because they're God -ordained. He'll use them in a way that will cause you to become more like him and cause your faith to grow if you'll focus on the Lord. [01:12:32]

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