This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis (ts@godspeak.org)

-----

               When You Walk Through The Desert

Child of Mine, I am not angry with you and I have not abandoned you.  I
know it is hard for you to walk through the desert, where you cannot
sense My presence as clearly as you would like to. But your inability to
sense My nearness does not mean that I am not present.  For I am a loving 
Father and I will not abandon you nor withdraw My indwelling Holy Spirit 
from within you.  Rather, I am teaching you to stand in faith. I am working 
within you and I am refining you, that you might be an overcomer.  I am
teaching you to believe what I have already told you even when you do not
get reinforcements from the sense of My nearness.

Your inability, for a short season, to hear My voice with clarity and accuracy 
does not mean that I have stopped speaking to you.  Rather, I am expecting  
you to trust and obey the last things that I spoke clearly to you.  For 
there are times when I must appear to pull away for a season, so that you 
are able to stand on your own two feet.  Child, I want you fully established 
in Me, I want you mature and ready to do with Me what I am doing.  I never 
expect you to act independent of Me and I will lead and guide you in all 
things.  

But there must be times when you stand in faith, independent of feelings 
and manifestations of My presence.  There must be times when you choose to
trust in My faithfulness and to believe in Me even when you cannot sense
My nearness.  For it is in those times that you shine forth as pure metal 
that has been tempered and will not buckle nor bend.  It is easy to stand 
in faith when My presence manifests around you, because your feelings back 
you up.  It is easy to know My will you are keenly aware of My presence, 
but I want you to demonstrate that you know down deep that I am a good 
Father and I am a loving God and I will not abandon you even when you do 
not sense My nearness and tangible presence.  

Child do not forget what I have already taught you of Myself.  Do not 
mistake My silence for disapproval, for I am watching you to see if you
have believed deep down in your heart what I have already taught you 
of Myself.  This is only for a short season, I will not leave you in
the desert forever. Do not view it as My displeasure upon you.  Rather
view it as verifying to yourself that you do know and trust Me and will 
act in faith upon what I have already spoken to you.

Child, I am with you even when you cannot feel My presence.   I have
loved you with an everlasting love and I will not abandon or forsake you.
Remain faithful to what I have already taught you of myself and know that
this seeming separation will last only for a short season, that your faith
may be tested and strengthened.