Friday, May 06, 2005

Streams in the desert: Is 43:19-21

"Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise." (Isaiah 43:19-21)

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a desert experience, searching and longing for God? Or in a wilderness place, looking and hoping for a way back to God? Desert experiences can be quite unsettling and can lead us to striving in our own strength to find a way out. But the truth is that God comes to meet us in the desert and in the wilderness. Instead of trying to find our own way out, God comes to meet us and give us what we need to survive and overcome the desert places. In the desert, God comes and creates a river of life by which we may refresh our souls. In the wilderness, God comes and creates a highway to ease our journey through the wilderness and to provide us a way of escape. Sometimes, when we are in a difficult place, we simply need to be still long enough to allow God to come and minister to us.

And why does God come to meet us in the desert? So that we might have reason to praise His name. Remember the time when Jesus delivered the demoniac from the legion of daemons? While he wanted to remain with Jesus, Jesus told him to, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." (Mark 5:19) Perhaps, God even allows us to go through desert times so that, when He delivers us, we may have new reasons to praise him.

Has God meet you in your time of need and given you a river of life and a highway of escape? Well then, don't keep it to your self, tell someone; give praise and glory to God.

David Robison

1 comment:

  1. Hi David,

    This is David Robison as well, also a blogger, I think our similarities end there, but I thought it was interesting...I turned 43 today, so you got me beat in age.

    Anyway, just thought you'd like to know.

    ReplyDelete