The talk on the news lately has indicated the country is facing a drought. Parts are already in a “severe” mode but all are experiencing dryness.
“Drought” as defined by dictionary.com is “a period of dry weather, an especially long one that is injurious; a prolonged shortage.”
Life can bring times when we feel as if we are in a drought. Our days experience a lack of comfort, laughter, company, encouragement or hope. The only thing in abundance seems to be worries, fears, or hopelessness.
What do we do when drought hits our lives?
That is the question in my thoughts today and I want to share what I know to be true.
Our souls need to be watered every day. They will become parched and hardened if left to navigate these days on their own. Keep on opening His Word – every day, throughout the day, as often as is needed – in order to get a word which springs out, delivering what is needed in the moment.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11, NASB)
He sends His Word, the verses for us to hold onto, which infuse our souls with strength, hope, peace and determination. Both the rain, and God’s Word, are intended to impact the lives of those on earth. His promises are not impotent or empty. He will make good on all He has spoken.
This is then the result …
“For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.” (Isaiah 55:12, NASB)
His joy and peace fill and we are able to navigate the day. Others will take note we have been with Jesus. When we respond to Him, something happens in our lives – we have hope because of who our God is – He is God, Almighty, Holy and powerful.
Something happens in the desert and in our lives …
“The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy.” (Isaiah 35:1-2, NASB)
In the middle of the dryness, of the hopelessness, something bursts – it breaks wide open. Hope springs to life. Joy comes.
“A joyless life is not a Christian life, for joy is one constant in the recipe for Christian living.” (William Barclay)
Joy – the one constant in our lives. It does not depend on circumstances. It does not depend on people. It depends on One Person, God, whose very presence in our lives brings joy.
We are in the spring season. Trees are budding, flowers are opening, the grass is turning green.
Get outside and see all that is blossoming.
May it remind you that our God is victorious.
The desert truly does bloom!
Photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash
Thank you so much for this blogpost. It has my heart, this theme. Tomorrow I will share a citat with you. I found on Enduring Word when I was reading about Elijah. "Why does God let them dry? He wants to teach us not to trust in His gifts but in Himself. He wants to drain us of self, as He drained the apostles by ten days of waiting before Pentecost. He wants to loosen our roots ere He removes us to some other sphere of service and education. He wants to put in stronger contrast the river of throne-water that never dries.” (Meyer)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week! God bless you.
A good reminder that if we're not feeling joyful, we need to water our souls.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanne for this reminder, that a joyless life is not the Christian life! Praise God He is our joy even in dry places!
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