Hey Family! Happy Tuesday! I’m going to start with a bold statement: “You being hidden is part of the Father’s protection.” (see what I did there about making it bold?) 😂 For Bible Study this past Sunday we completed our study of the Book of Numbers and in chapter 33, the Bible tells us about how the Children of Israel moved 40 TIMES on their journey from Egypt (bondage) to the promised land. But what I saw this time that I’d never seen before is how the Children of Israel were actually going BACK to the land of Canaan where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had already dwelled. Which led me to this question: Why did they ever have to leave in the first place? The answer that I got was simple: “Because I needed them to be hidden and protected and preserved for a season.” [Genesis 47:13 KJV] 13 And [there was] no bread in all the land; for the famine [was] very sore, so that the land of Egypt and [all] the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.
If they had stayed in Canaan, they would have fainted like everyone else.
The reality is we learn much more during the seasons of bondage, of being hidden, of being overlooked, etc. We learn about the Father’s goodness, his faithfulness, and his heart. But we also learn about ourselves. How entitled we are, how impatient we are, how undisciplined we are. And often we spend the entire “hidden” season, complaining about how no one sees us, about how hard it is, about how the bondage is too great. When that is the entire point of the season! To grow us into who we need to become, so that we can do and have all that the Father has desired. (Genesis 1:28) The example that comes to mind is the process of sowing a seed.
When a seed is placed in the ground and covered with soil, it is hidden from the elements of the world. But even though it is hidden, it’s also being protected. The sun won’t harm it prematurely in the soil. The wind won’t blow it over in the soil. The animals won’t eat it in the soil. (I know some animals root up, but stick with me here) The soil, a picture of being hidden, is the perfect environment for the seed to grow, mature, and become strong enough to withstand all those elements we just discussed. The hidden place also allows the seed to develop strong roots, and to understand where nutrition truly comes from. And the Father is good enough, that he wouldn’t force the seed to grow in an environment that would ultimately kill it. The same is true of us and the Father. Today, I challenge us to thank the Father for the BLESSING of growing in hidden places. That He’s good enough to allow us to learn, fail, try, grow, mature, pivot, etc. in places where the elements of the world would not overtake us. So instead of trying so hard to get out of the soil and be seen, let’s focus on growing through the hidden season so we’ll be prepared enough to withstand the elements when they come to attack. Does it always feel good being hidden? Probably not. I’m sure the seed doesn’t like being in the cold, wet, and dark ground. But if it wants to produce fruit, it has to grow through the hidden season. And the same is true for us. I’ve always said it this way, “Everybody wants to have fruit, but nobody wants to be a seed.” Be a seed. Enjoy being a seed. But don’t stay a seed. And understand that the hidden season is protection and blessing from the Father to all of us. I hope this all has encouraged you as much as it did me. Comment below and let me know if you are ready to start enjoying your hidden season! And if you’re out of your hidden season, reply back and give me some encouragement I can share with others who are coming up behind you! Remember: The Father Loves You, Let Him Love You! Talk soon, Phillip G. P.S. Check out this song that’s been encouraging me this week too. No One Like The Lord Video Let me know if you like it! P.P.S. – I host a bible study on Sunday nights at 8 pm CST. I’d love for you to join this week’s conversation and subscribe to my YouTube page here. ​ |
