Finding Purpose and Courage in Seasons of Exile

Devotional

Day 1: God Forms Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purpose Through Exile

Exile is that place where life feels out of sync with God’s promises, yet it is precisely there that God shapes humility, perseverance, and faith in us for a greater purpose. In the midst of brokenness, transition, or struggle, God is not absent; He is actively forming you, teaching you to trust, endure, and hope even when circumstances are not in your favor. The discomfort of exile is not wasted—it is the crucible where God prepares ordinary people for extraordinary callings, inviting you to see your current season as a place of divine formation rather than defeat. [02:28]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel “in exile” right now, and how might God be using this season to form something extraordinary in you?

Day 2: Courage in Exile Comes from Knowing God Knows and Sets You Apart

Before you were born, God knew you and set you apart for a purpose, just as He did with Jeremiah. Your true identity is not found in your achievements, fears, or failures, but in the fact that you are known and loved by God. Even when you feel lost or uncertain in transition, you can find courage in the assurance that God has called you by name and has a plan for your life that began long before you were aware of it. [28:55]

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Reflection: What would it look like today to live out of the truth that God knows you deeply and has set you apart for His purpose?

Day 3: God Appoints You for a Mission in the Midst of Exile

Even in seasons of exile or transition, God appoints you for a mission—there is something He wants to accomplish through you right where you are. You are not sidelined or forgotten; your current circumstances are the very context in which God calls you to bear fruit and make a difference. Like the disciples, you are chosen and sent to go and bear fruit that will last, and your mission is not postponed until life feels perfect—it is for now. [30:05]

John 15:16 (ESV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Reflection: What is one way you sense God inviting you to serve or bear fruit in your current “exile” season?

Day 4: God Equips and Reassures You, Even When You Resist

God does not just call you—He equips you with what you need, even when you feel inadequate or resistant. Like Jeremiah, you may feel unqualified or afraid, but God gives you His words, His presence, and His Spirit to empower you for the task. When you are overwhelmed or tempted to run from your calling, remember that God is patient, reassuring, and faithful to provide what you need to step forward in courage. [37:03]

Exodus 4:10-12 (ESV)
But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Reflection: Where do you feel unqualified or resistant to God’s call, and how might you invite Him to equip and reassure you today?

Day 5: God Proves Faithful by Sending Help Through Others

In your moments of exile, God often proves His faithfulness by sending people—friends, mentors, advocates, or even strangers—to help, encourage, and stand with you. The Holy Spirit works through the community of faith, providing support and advocacy when you cannot speak or act for yourself. You are not meant to journey alone; God’s help often comes through the presence and actions of others, reminding you that He sees, cares, and is actively involved in your story. [41:28]

John 14:16-17 (ESV)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Reflection: Who has God placed in your life as a source of help or encouragement, and how can you reach out to them or be that help for someone else this week?

Sermon Summary

Exile is that place in life where it feels like we’re standing just outside the door of all that Jesus promises—where the fullness of God’s love, presence, and purpose seem so close, yet our reality feels far from it. Whether it’s a struggling marriage, a cycle of addiction, or a season of transition, exile is where life doesn’t line up with what we know God intends. But in this place, God is not absent. He is deeply present, offering both comfort and conviction. He holds up a mirror, showing us the places in our hearts that need healing, and invites us to let Him do His transforming work.

Exile is not wasted time. It is the crucible where God forms ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Through humility, perseverance, and faith, God shapes us in the midst of our frustrations and transitions. The discomfort of exile teaches us to trust Him in ways we never would have otherwise. It’s in these seasons that we learn to say “yes” to God, even when the next step is unclear or frightening. God uses these moments to prepare us for the unique mission He has for each of us.

God’s faithfulness is often revealed through the people He sends into our lives. Sometimes, after years of our own efforts, God brings someone else to break through in a way we couldn’t. He did this for Jeremiah, and He does it for us—sending allies, friends, and even strangers to encourage, support, and advocate for us when we need it most. God knows us intimately, even before we were born, and He calls us by name. Our true identity is found not in our achievements or failures, but in being known and loved by Him.

Courage in exile comes from knowing that God has set us apart, appointed us for a mission, and equipped us with His words and presence. Even when we resist, He reassures us and proves Himself faithful by sending help at just the right time. The exile you’re experiencing is not the end of your story. God is using it to form you into someone extraordinary, with a purpose that reaches beyond your current circumstances. This season is temporary, and the weight of glory that awaits far outweighs the affliction of now. So, take courage—God is not done with you yet.

Key Takeaways

1. Exile is a place of both comfort and conviction, where God meets us in our brokenness and holds up a mirror to our souls. It’s in these uncomfortable spaces that we see what still needs healing, and where God’s presence becomes most real—not by removing us from hardship, but by transforming us through it. [02:05]
2. God uses seasons of exile to form humility, perseverance, and faith in us. The frustrations and transitions we face are not wasted; they are the very tools God uses to prepare us for extraordinary purposes. Our willingness to say “yes” to God in these moments is often the beginning of a new chapter of calling and mission. [05:49]
3. Our true identity is rooted in being known and loved by God, not in our achievements, failures, or the names we give ourselves. God calls us by name, sets us apart, and reminds us of who we are before the world or our own insecurities tried to redefine us. Courage comes from embracing this identity and trusting that God’s purpose for us is secure. [28:33]
4. God equips us for exile by giving us His words, His Spirit, and the people we need at just the right time. Ministry and mission are not about striving in our own strength, but about being equipped by Jesus’ voice and presence. When we are weak or overwhelmed, God sends help—sometimes through unexpected allies who advocate, encourage, and walk with us. [41:12]
5. The courage to endure exile comes from knowing that God is not finished with us. Every season of exile is temporary and purposeful, forming in us a weight of glory that far outweighs our present struggles. God’s faithfulness is seen in how He reassures, equips, and sends help, reminding us that heaven awaits and our story is still unfolding. [52:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:50] - The Reality of Exile
[02:28] - Exile Forms Ordinary People
[04:16] - Perseverance and Faith in Transition
[06:10] - Wrestling with Calling
[08:01] - Discovering Core Identity
[10:09] - Saying Yes in Faith
[21:23] - Loving Difficult Neighbors
[23:01] - God’s Faithfulness Through Others
[24:33] - Courage from Being Known by God
[27:55] - Rediscovering True Identity
[29:14] - Set Apart for a Mission
[31:09] - Hearing God’s Call
[37:03] - Equipped for Exile
[41:12] - God Sends Help
[48:39] - Courage in Exile
[52:09] - God’s Purpose in Exile
[52:50] - Closing Blessing and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 1:4-9 (ESV) — > Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
> “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
> and before you were born I consecrated you;
> I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
> Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
> But the Lord said to me,
> “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
> for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
> and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
> Do not be afraid of them,
> for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
> Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,
> “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV) — > So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

John 14:16-17 (ESV) — > And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Observation Questions

In Jeremiah 1:4-9, what does God say about Jeremiah’s identity and calling before Jeremiah was even born?
According to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, what is the purpose of our “light momentary affliction”?
In the sermon, what are some examples of “exile” that people might experience in their lives? [[00:50]]
How does God show His faithfulness to people who are in exile, according to the stories shared in the sermon? [[23:01]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chooses to form people in the “crucible” of exile, rather than in comfort or ease? [[02:28]]
The sermon says that God “holds up a mirror” to us in exile. What does this mean, and why is it important for our growth? [[02:05]]
How does knowing that God “calls us by name” and knows us before we were born give us courage in difficult seasons? [[28:33]]
What role do other people play in helping us endure and grow during times of exile, based on both the Bible passages and the sermon stories? [[41:12]]

Application Questions

The sermon describes exile as “standing just outside the door of all that Jesus promises.” Is there an area of your life right now where you feel like you’re in exile? What does that look like for you? [[00:50]]
When have you experienced God’s comfort or conviction in a hard season? How did it change you? [[02:05]]
The speaker shared about writing a “personal bio” to get to the core of his identity. If you had to write down the top two or three things that are most true about who you are, what would they be? How do you think God sees you? [[08:01]]
The sermon says that God often sends people to help us when we can’t break through on our own. Can you think of a time when God sent someone to encourage or support you? How did that impact your journey? [[23:01]]
In what ways might God be using your current frustrations or transitions to form humility, perseverance, or faith in you? [[05:49]]
The speaker talked about finding courage by remembering that God knows us, sets us apart, and appoints us for a mission. What would it look like for you to say “yes” to God in your current season, even if the next step is unclear or frightening? [[29:14]]
Is there someone in your life right now who might need you to be the “help” that God sends? What is one practical way you could encourage or support them this week? [[41:12]]

Sermon Clips

Where do you get the courage in the midst of your exile? You get the courage from knowing that God knows you. Like before you were born, he had a plan. You get the courage, like Jeremiah, that God sets you apart. He sets you apart for a purpose. [00:28:58] (17 seconds) #NorthToGoSouth

Or maybe where do you get the courage when you're in a feeling of exile? You get the courage from knowing that God appoints you for a mission. You have something to accomplish in this exile, in this transition that you're in, in this years of child rearing, in this relationship issue that you're facing, in this personal addiction that you're working through, you actually have a mission. God has something for you to accomplish. [00:29:57] (23 seconds) #EquippedByJesus

How does God take an ordinary person and use exile to form that person into an extraordinary person? He brings help. He brings persons and people into your life at the moment that you need them. He does this through the Holy Spirit. [00:41:05] (17 seconds) #FaithfulInResistance

Do you know that that's how God shows up in your life? He shows up through people when you can't speak, when you can't do, when you can't act. He shows up through people who can speak on your behalf, who can act on your behalf, who can do on your behalf. It is how God gives you courage when you're in a place of exile. [00:42:30] (19 seconds) #FormedForPurpose

So when you're in exile, you can be courageous because he knows you. He sets you apart. He appoints you for a purpose. And even when you resist, he reassures you, he equips you. He proves himself faithful to you by sending help to you. [00:42:48] (20 seconds) #FearNotExile

So why are you so afraid of the moment that you're in? As if it can crush you. It can't. God's using it to form you. This is momentary and light affliction in the weight of glory, the scripture says. And so we keep ourselves under the mighty hand of God because in due time he will raise me up, is what the scriptures say. [00:51:36] (23 seconds)

You see exile. God uses exile to form you from an ordinary person to an extraordinary person of purpose. If you could just see it that way. That's where your courage comes from. [00:51:59] (16 seconds)

``So church. May you know that God knows you. And may your courage come from there. May you know that God sets you apart. May your courage come from there. May you know that God appoints you for a great mission in this moment. And your courage can come from there. Oh, he'll reassure you when you resist. He'll even equip you when you resist. And even when you resist, he will prove himself faithful by sending someone to you in your time of need. Because God is not done with you yet. This exile is temporary, and heaven awaits you now and forever. [00:52:15] (44 seconds)

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