Streams, Pools, and Springs of Water

For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water...a highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. Isaiah 35:6-8

I recently went through a discouraging time. I won't bother listing the lies and negative thoughts that were more than happy to make their presence known. Let's just say I lived, for a time, with utter despondency. Tears came as the ache grew. I was in a place all too familiar to my soul. I know others can relate with this. Times like this use to scare me. In the past I could not see any hope of escape.

But recently I have noticed two incredible changes. I have learned how to cling to God. He is teaching me it is okay to let Him know what is going on in my head and heart. Not that He doesn't already know, but He longs for ME to see it. There use to be a time I couldn't do that. I feared His condemnation, stern look, and ready lecture. But what I experience now is His understanding, His embrace, and His listening ear. Those are the rewards for any of us who dare to live honest before Him.

The second change I have noticed is the absence of fear that things won't get better. I couldn't see myself ever having a light spirit again. But recently it is the promise that peace and joy will return to me that gives me hope. These verses show a beautiful scene unfold in the wilderness and desert....streams, springs of water, and a roadway. Those terms reveal refreshment and direction for me. I know it's coming. I know It's available. And I know eventually God will open my eyes to it. Just like Abraham saw the ram in the thicket and Hagar saw the well of water, I know I will see what isn't apparent yet.

And it happened!

Father, thank you for Your gentleness and provision when I momentarily pass through valleys. I love it when Your encouragement lifts me up. Amen.

Comforting Words

Isaiah said to them, "Thus you shall say to our master, ‘Thus says the LORD, do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard‘." Isaiah 37:6

There are times when we need to seek out the godly counsel and prayers of others. Just like Judah, we find ourselves under attack. The Assyrians attacked with threats and questions of God's ability to help. Each difficulty that comes has the potential to do the same to us. Hence, we need people of strong faith to turn to when so much overwhelms us. Many times God will bring us reassurance through the words of another person.

In essence, God says to us what He said to King Hezekiah, "Don't be afraid. I will take care of everything." May we know it is true that God is not only aware of our predicament but He is actively involved in our situation. Faith means I keep holding on to the hand that is holding on to me. It means I listen to what God says above the many voices that lie to me. That I fix my eyes on Him rather than the experiences I am going through.

Presently, I am not facing storms or difficulties. But I am aware of some dear friends who are. May I use this time in my life to uphold them in prayer and encourage them as God shows me how. May I not feel helpless. Prayer is the most powerful gift I can offer for them.

Father, I can think of no greater One to turn to for my friends or myself. Show me practical things I can do for them. I place them in Your hands and I rejoice that they are safe. Amen.

A Right View of God

For jealousy enrages a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not accept any ransom. Nor will he be satisfied though you give many gifts. Proverbs 6:34, 35

Ever know someone whom you offended and no matter what you said or did to try to make up for it they refused to forgive you? From that day forward you were no longer a recipient of their love or friendship. Arms that use to hug you warmly upon a greeting were no longer extended to you. Disgust marked their face, cold shoulders were apparent, and the permanence of their view of you was felt.

It took a long time for me to see that my view of God had such distortions. Every day was lived under the feeling that I had offended Him and I learned to shy away from the One who longed to draw me close. He wanted very much for me to see how willing He was to forgive me. I didn’t know that the father of the prodigal son was an exquisite picture of God when any of us return to Him. I didn’t know His longing and heart’s desire was for reconciliation. He is a God who invites us to come to Him for any reason!

I sometimes wonder what it would be like had there never been a ransom paid for my sin by Christ on the cross. If God had never been satisfied by the death of His Son. At the age of 14 I was very concerned about where I would spend eternity. I did not understand death, Heaven, or Hell. As a matter of fact, I thought when a person died they just stopped existing and that scared me…..at times even put me in tears. I cannot imagine what it would be like as an adult in my late forties if I still did not know the truth about God and where I would be spending eternity.

Thirty-three years ago God helped me to settle the issue of my salvation. Now decades later He continues to help me see His acceptance of me every time I come to Him with a need for forgiveness and reconciliation. I am cowering less and approaching Him more with the awareness that His love really is everlasting. No, He is nothing like the person described in the passage above. Today I walk in the awareness that He is my loving Abba and that definitely changes everything for me.

Father, the image I had of You never fit and for so long I didn’t understand why. Thank you for opening my eyes to the truth about yourself. Amen.