Are you hidden and protected? Do you feel safe and secure, or do you feel exposed and in danger? Have you ever been in the middle of a crowd with chaos all around and felt like you were in a peaceful bubble? This is a safe place. This is a secure place. Hidden!

Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.” It is interesting that the name Zephaniah means “hidden in Jehovah” and he is the one prophesying this passage. Our names have meaning and when others call us by name they are also speaking the meaning back to us. Many throughout history have been given a new name by the Lord because of the new work He was doing in their lives. My name is Joseph which means, “the Lord will add.” I was also given a nickname at birth which I went by until four years ago. Now, I go by Joseph again because of what the Lord wants to do in my life. What about you?

Throughout the ages the Lord has hidden his people from danger. Jesus’ life was in danger and He simply walked right through their midst and escaped. There is a time for exposure, but that is at the right moment and in the Lord’s timing. The enemy’s plan is to expose us prematurely. He will try to get us to move out ahead of time. Not only is it alright for us to wait but it is also neccessary for us to wait and to be hidden until the appropriate time. Isaiah 49:2 “He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.” Psalm 18:14 “He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them.” As we can see in these two scriptures there is a special time to come out.

The Lord cares about us so much. Don’t be anxious to come out too soon. Let the workings of the Lord have their purpose. If we take a look at the life of Joseph, we can see how he was hidden until the Lord’s purpose matured inside of him. We might see this as a raw deal, however, when he emerged from prison he was ready to be second in command of an entire country. Not only was he second in command, but he led them through a serious time in history. There were to be seven years of plenty. The wisdom was in storing up food for the seven years of famine. Had they not stored up the food, they would have died. In addition to this, because of the dream and their obedience, Egypt had other countries coming to them and paying them for the excess food they had stored up. They gained notoriety and fame. There are rewards for doing things the Lord’s way. Joseph attained more because of his obedience and walked into his destiny and purpose.

Are you hidden? Does it seem like you are in prison? Are things not going your way and possibly going opposite of your dreams and visions? Rest assured, you are in a maturation process. As bad as it sounds, this is a good place. You are being protected and you will be brought out at the proper time. Rest! Take advantage of this opportunity to learn what you need to know for the day of exposure. Hidden!

I know it isn’t easy being here. I’ve been here for a long time. I kept getting glimpses of coming out and each time I was encouraged. Hold on to hope. There is a special time and a special season. May you find the strength you need. Embrace this time and get ready to walk in your purpose and destiny. Hidden!

Joseph