Estimated Read Time:

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12–14 minutes

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Prayer

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Yahweh (God),

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Thank You for being the God who sees, speaks, remembers, and calls. When life becomes routine, when the wilderness feels long, and when circumstances do not make sense, help us remain attentive to Your presence.

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Holy Spirit, give us eyes to recognize what You are showing us and ears to hear when You are calling. Help us not walk past the very thing You are using to draw us closer to You.

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Prepare our hearts for encounter, deepen our trust, and strengthen our obedience.

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In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name, Amen.

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Introduction

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Most people assume that when Yahweh speaks, it will be obvious.

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They expect dramatic signs, unmistakable answers, and immediate clarity.

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Yet throughout Scripture, Yahweh often works differently.

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He frequently gets our attention through things that do not make sense.

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An unexpected interruption.

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A delay that lasts longer than expected.

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A closed door that should have opened.

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A circumstance that seems contradictory to what we thought Yahweh had promised.

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This is exactly what happened to Moses.

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Forty years after leaving Egypt, Moses was living an ordinary life in the wilderness.

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The dreams he once carried appeared forgotten.

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The purpose he once believed Yahweh had for him seemed distant.

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Then one day, in the middle of a routine assignment, he noticed something unusual.

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A bush was burning.

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But it was not being consumed.

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The fire was not the contradiction.

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The wilderness had plenty of fires.

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The contradiction was that this fire was behaving differently.

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And that contradiction became the doorway to an encounter with Yahweh.

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Sometimes the very thing that does not make sense is the thing Yahweh is using to get our attention.

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Scripture Exploration (NRSV)

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Exodus 3:3–4

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"Then Moses said, 'I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.' When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush..."
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Notice what happened.

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Yahweh did not call Moses before Moses turned aside.

The call came after Moses responded.

The encounter began when Moses paid attention.

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Exodus 3:5

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"Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

 

Before the assignment came reverence.

Before the mission came surrender.

Before purpose came holiness.

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Exodus 3:14

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"I AM WHO I AM."

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Yahweh introduces Himself before He reveals the full plan.

Because relationship always comes before responsibility.

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Proverbs 3:5–6

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"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight."

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Faith often requires trust when understanding has not yet arrived.

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Isaiah 55:8–9

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"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD."

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What appears contradictory to us may be perfectly clear to Yahweh.

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Deep Dive

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One of the most overlooked details in the story of Moses is this:

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The encounter happened during an ordinary day.

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Moses was not leading a revival.

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He was not standing before Pharaoh.

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He was not delivering Israel.

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He was tending sheep.

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The very task that may have seemed insignificant was part of Yahweh's preparation.

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Many people want the assignment.

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Few appreciate the preparation.

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Yet Yahweh spent forty years shaping Moses before revealing the next chapter of his calling.

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This reminds us that delays are not necessarily denials.

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The wilderness is not always punishment.

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Sometimes it is preparation.

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Another important truth emerges from this encounter:

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Moses did not receive the plan immediately.

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First, he encountered the Person.

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Many people want Yahweh's instructions without pursuing His presence.

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They want answers without intimacy.

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Direction without relationship.

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Purpose without encounter.

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But Yahweh revealed Himself before He revealed the mission.

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Why?

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Because the assignment would require Moses to know who Yahweh was.

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The challenges ahead would be too great to face without a deeper understanding of the One who was sending him.

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And the same remains true today.

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Sometimes we are asking Yahweh for details while He is inviting us into deeper relationship.

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Sometimes we want the program.

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Yahweh wants to reveal the Person.

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Finally, notice that Moses did not ignore the contradiction.

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He investigated it.

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He turned aside.

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Many people miss encounters because they dismiss what does not fit their expectations.

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Yet Yahweh often uses unexpected circumstances to interrupt routine and draw our attention toward Him.

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The question is not whether Yahweh is speaking.

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The question is whether we are willing to stop long enough to listen.

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Relatable Scenario

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Imagine driving the same route to work every day.

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The roads are familiar.

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The schedule is predictable.

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Life feels routine.

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Then suddenly something unexpected happens.

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A conversation you did not plan.

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A delay you did not anticipate.

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A door closes.

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An opportunity appears.

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A circumstance emerges that does not fit your expectations.

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Your first instinct is to dismiss it.

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To move on.

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To keep going.

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Yet something continues drawing your attention back to it.

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You cannot explain why.

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You cannot fully understand it.

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But you cannot ignore it either.

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Sometimes those moments become spiritual crossroads.

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Not because the event itself is extraordinary.

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But because Yahweh may be using it to get your attention.

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Core Message

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• Yahweh often speaks through interruptions and contradictions.

• Presence comes before purpose.

• The encounter comes before the assignment.

• Delays do not mean Yahweh has forgotten His plans.

• The wilderness may be preparation rather than punishment.

• Turning aside is often the first act of obedience.

• Yahweh frequently uses ordinary circumstances to reveal extraordinary truths.

• Encounter with Yahweh requires attentiveness, humility, and response.

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Life Stories

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Many of the people Yahweh used throughout Scripture experienced seasons that did not make sense.

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Joseph endured years of imprisonment before stepping into leadership.

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David spent years running from Saul before becoming king.

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Jeremiah faithfully delivered difficult messages that few wanted to hear.

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Moses spent forty years tending sheep before returning to Egypt.

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In every case, there were moments when the circumstances seemed contradictory to the promise.

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Yet Yahweh had not forgotten His plan.

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The delay was not abandonment.

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The waiting was not wasted.

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The preparation was part of the process.

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Likewise, many believers look back and realize that what once felt like a detour became preparation for something greater than they could see at the time.

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​Common Experiences

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• Feeling forgotten during a long season of waiting

• Wondering why life is not unfolding as expected

• Encountering situations that do not make sense

• Feeling stuck in routine or wilderness seasons

• Questioning whether Yahweh still remembers His promises

• Wrestling with delays and unanswered questions

• Sensing that Yahweh may be doing something but not understanding what it is

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Everyday Challenges​​

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• Remaining faithful when progress feels slow

• Trusting Yahweh without having all the answers

• Paying attention instead of becoming distracted

• Responding to conviction instead of ignoring it

• Staying present during ordinary seasons

• Remaining open to Yahweh's guidance when circumstances seem unclear

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Modern Connections

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Modern culture values speed.

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People want immediate answers.

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Instant clarity.

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Quick results.

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Fast solutions.

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Yet Yahweh often works through process rather than urgency.

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Many people become frustrated because they want certainty before obedience.

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They want the full blueprint before taking the first step.

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But Moses did not receive the entire plan at the bush.

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He received enough revelation for the next step.

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And often, that is how Yahweh works.

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He gives light for the next step before revealing the entire journey.

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Faith grows when we learn to trust Him with what we do not yet understand.

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Reflection & Application

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Ask yourself honestly:

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• What contradiction am I currently facing?

• Have I been ignoring something Yahweh may be using to get my attention?

• Am I seeking Yahweh's plan more than His presence?

• What area of my life requires greater trust right now?

• Where might Yahweh be preparing me even if I cannot yet see the purpose?

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This week:

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Pay attention to what repeatedly captures your attention before Yahweh.

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Pray about it.

Reflect on it.

Bring it before Him.

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Do not immediately dismiss what you do not understand.

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Instead ask:

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"Yahweh, what are You showing me?"

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Closing Prayer

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Yahweh (God),

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Thank You for being the God who still speaks in wilderness seasons.

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Forgive us for the times we have ignored what You were using to get our attention.

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Help us remain attentive, humble, and responsive when You draw near.

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Teach us to trust You when circumstances do not make sense and to seek Your presence before seeking answers.

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Holy Spirit, help us recognize Your voice, respond to Your call, and walk faithfully in the purpose You have prepared.

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In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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Further Study:

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• Exodus 3:1–14

• Proverbs 3:5–6

• Isaiah 55:8–9

• Jeremiah 29:11

• Romans 8:28

• Psalm 46:10

 

 

 

Key Takeaway:

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The encounter began when Moses turned aside.

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He did not receive revelation because everything made sense.

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He received revelation because he paid attention.

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Sometimes the very thing that does not make sense is the thing Yahweh is using to draw you closer.

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Concluding Thoughts:

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The burning bush was not remarkable because it existed.

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Bushes existed everywhere.

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The contradiction was that this bush was different.

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And Moses chose not to ignore it.

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That decision changed everything.

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Yahweh still works in similar ways today.

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He still speaks in ordinary places.

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He still uses unexpected circumstances.

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He still meets people in wilderness seasons.

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And He still calls people into purpose.

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The question is not whether Yahweh is working.

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The question is:

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Will you turn aside and pay attention?

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Because the encounter may be closer than you think.

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Amen.

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Key Terms

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Contradiction - A circumstance or situation that appears inconsistent with expectations and may draw attention to Yahweh's work.

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Encounter - A meaningful experience of Yahweh's presence that deepens relationship and understanding.

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Presence - The nearness and activity of Yahweh among His people.

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Wilderness - A season of testing, preparation, growth, or waiting.

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Holiness - Being set apart for Yahweh and responding to Him with reverence.

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Preparation - The process Yahweh uses to develop character and readiness before assignment.

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Calling - Yahweh's invitation into a specific purpose, responsibility, or direction.

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Obedience - Responding faithfully to what Yahweh reveals, even when complete understanding has not yet arrived.

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