{"id":352008,"date":"2026-07-17T11:30:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T15:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/?p=352008"},"modified":"2026-07-17T11:46:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T15:46:28","slug":"fifth-message-of-the-fast-of-daniel-for-you-who-are-in-the-desert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/post\/fifth-message-of-the-fast-of-daniel-for-you-who-are-in-the-desert\/","title":{"rendered":"Fifth Message of the Fast of Daniel: For You Who Are in the Desert"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"border-left: 7px solid #365b81; height: 25%; padding: 21px;\"><big>On the fifth day of the <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/category\/fast-of-daniel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fast of Daniel<\/a><\/span>, Bishop Macedo dedicated a special message to those experiencing <strong>a spiritual desert<\/strong>. He explained that although this period is <strong>marked by difficulties<\/strong>, it is during these times that <strong>God works most<\/strong> profoundly in the lives of those <strong>He intends to use<\/strong>.<\/big><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>The Desert as the \u201cUniversity of the Holy Spirit\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><strong>A Place of Learning, Preparation, and Spiritual Formation<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>During his message, <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universal.org\/en\/bispo-macedo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bishop Macedo<\/a><\/span> stated that the desert is indeed the \u201cUniversity of the Holy Spirit.\u201d It is in this challenging environment that <strong>God imparts lessons<\/strong> that are difficult to learn in times of comfort, such as <strong>humility, patience, self-control, respect, and perseverance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>He stressed that God does not lead His servants into the desert without a purpose. Rather, this process is <strong>a preparation<\/strong> for what they will receive later. According to him, it is in the desert that God shapes those <strong>He desires to use<\/strong> in His work.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>God Prepares His Servants in the Desert<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><strong>Biblical Examples of Preparation Before Fulfilling God\u2019s Purpose<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Throughout Scripture, many great men and women of faith passed through deserts before fulfilling God\u2019s purpose in their lives.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, the Holy Spirit led the <strong>Lord Jesus<\/strong> into the desert to prepare Him for the beginning of His earthly ministry. Similarly, <strong>John was exiled<\/strong> to the Island of Patmos. Despite enduring forced labor, it was in that isolated place that he received the revelation of the Apocalypse.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, Bishop Macedo emphasized that God continues to use deserts to prepare those who will be <strong>instruments in His hands<\/strong>.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Learning to Hear the Voice of God<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><strong>Difficult Seasons Can Deepen Communion With God<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Another significant point the bishop made is that the desert fosters <strong>closer communion with God<\/strong>. Without the distractions of the world and excessive comforts, a person begins to pay more attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit and the guidance found in God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n<p>He mentioned that <strong>a comfortable life<\/strong> often leads people to <strong>stop listening to God\u2019s voice<\/strong>. In contrast, during difficult times, they are compelled to reflect, seek spiritual guidance, and develop <strong>a more conscious and obedient faith<\/strong>.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Tribulations Produce Growth<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><strong>Perseverance, Experience, and Hope<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universal.org\/en\/bispo-macedo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bishop Macedo<\/a><\/span> referred to a passage in the book of <strong>Romans<\/strong> to highlight that the challenges faced in the wilderness contribute to spiritual maturity.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"background-color: #f2f8fc; padding: 2em; border-left: 5px solid #ccc; margin: 1em 0;\"><p>And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn concluding the message, Bishop Macedo emphasized that <strong>the desert is a necessary part of the journey<\/strong> for all those whom God intends to use. Just as with the Lord Jesus, John, and many other biblical figures, God continues to use life\u2019s deserts <strong>to mold mature and obedient servants<\/strong> who are prepared to fulfill His purpose.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Watch the Complete Message<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>You may find the complete meditation through the following <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WdGeQqvyYWU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube link<\/a><\/span> in the original language. Within the video settings, select Subtitles\/CC, followed by Auto-translate, and choose English for English captions: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=M6_VyL9khU0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=M6_VyL9khU0<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Read Also<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/post\/fast-of-daniel-day-1-message-from-bishop-macedo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2022 How to Overcome Fear and Doubt Through Faith and the Word of God<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/post\/second-message-of-the-fast-of-daniel-how-to-win-the-war-between-doubt-and-certainty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2022 How to Win the War Between Doubt and Certainty<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/post\/third-message-of-the-fast-of-daniel-learn-how-to-overcome-doubts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2022 Third Message of the Fast of Daniel: Learn How to Overcome Doubts<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/post\/fourth-message-of-the-fast-of-daniel-learning-to-overcome-sin-through-faith\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2022 Fourth Message of the Fast of Daniel: Learning to Overcome Sin Through Faith<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; On the fifth day of the Fast of Daniel, Bishop Macedo dedicated a special message to those experiencing a spiritual desert. He explained that although this period is marked by difficulties, it is during these times that God works most profoundly in the lives of those He intends to use. &nbsp; &nbsp; The Desert [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":248,"featured_media":352014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[323,12],"tags":[6214,6245,6121],"site":[],"class_list":["post-352008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-school-of-faith","category-fast-of-daniel","tag-21-days","tag-bishop-macedo","tag-the-holy-spirit"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/248"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352008"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352008\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":352023,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352008\/revisions\/352023"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/352014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352008"},{"taxonomy":"site","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/site?post=352008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}