Desert Places

Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

I've been in a desert place, spiritually-speaking for a while now. Throughout my 39 years of walking with the Lord I've experienced dry times - times where devotions are hard, prayers seem to hit the ceiling and a general malaise permeates my spirit.  There have been many reasons for these dry times in the past, but, in my experience, the Lord does not allow/send dry times without a purpose. He uses these times to teach me more about Himself and in the process, more about myself, as well.

I have felt defeated recently. My mind has listened to the lies of the enemy and I haven't stood behind the Father as my Shield and Defender. I've tried to do it on my own. You know how well that works! I'm tired and I'm weary. I'm finally ready to listen, which is the usual outcome of desert-traveling, a wearing down of my pride and coming to the realization that without Christ, the desert would be my permanent dwelling place.

Isaiah reminds us that through Christ a road has been made for us and rivers, not creeks or even a simple oasis, but rivers will be available. When we're done trudging through the sand dunes, He has made a better way.

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring....

Isaiah 44:6

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts: I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

It's time to stop wandering around looking for something to satisfy and turn to the Living Water that leads us out of the desert and fully satisfies.

Many of us are struggling with grief and troubles which can seem overwhelming. Sometimes it's easy to barricade ourselves off and trudge through the circumstances, but that's a desert path. Leaning into the Father and availing ourselves of the Living Water at the time we need it most is His way for us.

I'm praying that each of you will walk in abundance with Him.