Rivers in the Desert

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

This verse always inspires me every time I read it. It is a reminder of God's promise to provide for His people even in a dry and weary land.

Sometimes where I am it feels like a desert wilderness. Spiritually, and sometimes physically -- in terms of location and distance from like-minded individuals. Sometimes life feels dry. When once you were going strong, drinking up from the seemingly never-ending supply of laughter and joy, you now can barely put one step in front of the other, parched and panting for relief--the heat of varying trials and disappointments beating down mercilessly.

At least, it feels like it at times.

I have been reminded that life can't always be near-perfect. Another scripture that I think back to is in the book of James, chapter 1, verses 3-4: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."  It is through our trials that we are molded to reflect a godly character. Trials test us, to see how strong our anchor is. Will your faith waver, or will you continue to put your faith in the One you profess to have surrendered your heart and life to? Hard times are not designed to beat you up and turn you into a bitter, hopeless individual. No, their purpose is to allow you to fully surrender, and prove your trust in God. Holding on to the Lord and His precious promises will instead bring to light the qualities that reflect the character of Christ:

In 2 Peter 1:

Add to your faith virtue... to virtue, knowledge

to knowledge, temperance; to temperance patience;

to patience, godliness; to godliness brotherly kindness;

and to brotherly kindness, charity... 

The Lord will indeed finish the work He has begun. When you're seemingly wandering in a desert land, don't lose hope. There is a promise that the Lord WILL do a new thing... making a way in the wilderness -- leading us through--, and creating rivers in the desert.

We will not die in the desert. The Lord promised to pour out His Spirit... RIVERS... living water flowing through His people, springing up from old wells!

If you give up now, you will never know what it's like to feel that revival and renewal after hard trials. A rejuvenation that is sweeter than anything we've tasted beforehand. Oh yes, I'm trusting in God's Word and looking forward to a wonderful outpouring of His glory upon His chosen people.

His Spirit has never left us. As with the Israelites in the desert, when the Pillar of Fire gave them light by night, and the Pillar of Cloud gave them shade in the day, the Lord has been watching over us, protecting us through it all. Many of the Israelites gave up on the Lord, despite the obvious evidence of His grace and favour. Do not blind your eyes to the Truth that is in front of us: The Lord surely is with His people, and will never leave nor forsake us. So don't you ever give up on Him!

With that wonderful promise in mind, we can overcome all obstacles and all attacks on the mind. For that's where the greatest battle is fought... in the mind. If you allow yourself to stay in a dry place, you will surely wither up and die... Let your thoughts be directed towards heavenly things. Read His Word. Pray daily. He will strengthen us!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law". Galatians 5: 22-23