Rescue in the Desert
If you live in a hot dry part of the world, you know what drought conditions are like. The relentless heat that saps your strength, the ground bakes, everything turns brown – seemingly overnight – if you try to grow anything it wilts, and its growth is hindered. For those who live in colder, even freezing climates it is as hard to comprehend, as those who have never been in a blizzard. At the moment, where I live, we have had over three months of near constant temperatures in the 36-40C range (97-104F) – it’s been a brutal summer, and there seems no end to it as we rapidly head towards March.
I can almost guarantee that you have gone through times in your own life where it seems as if you are in a never-ending period of drought. Where your life seems so desolate, even though you know you are heading in the right direction – remember to begin with the Israelites were headed towards the ‘promised land’, and they still had to pass through the trials of the desert. However, it was only their disobedience and lack of faith that caused them to go back around and do laps of the desert for 40 years. Just as God was with the Israelites in the desert, he is with you too – especially when it doesn’t seem like it. God never abandons those that love him and place their lives in his hands.
The prophet Isaiah had some very beautiful words from God for his people, at a time when enemies were threatening, and droughts ravaged the land.
Firstly, we’ll look at Is 41:8-10, which says… “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Christians are God’s – and through the salvation we receive in believing in his son Yeshua – we are grafted into the vine and the fig tree (which represent the Hebrews – then and now).
We are chosen by him, and when we are far from him – either by our own actions, or by not knowing him – he will draw us close to him again. He will restore that relationship that he has sought with humanity since the fall.
God is reminding Isaiah about his past with the Hebrew people, what he is doing is reminding Isaiah of the covenant he made with Abraham and his descendants. The covenant is legally binding in the heavenly courts, and is eternal. There is no revoking it. For us that should be a focal point of hope - as whatever God has promised us, he will deliver on that promise. it might not be at a time we want, or exactly how we want it...but his word never returns void.
There is a great deal of hope and peace to be found in these verses. No matter what is happening in our lives - we need to set aside fear and leave behind discouragement.
I know it is easier to say that do that – trust me on this one, been there, done that and wallowed in my own despair for far too long. But, when we ‘KNOW’ that God is holding us in a place of protection, strength and provision, a place that nothing can separate us from. That is a powerful truth that we need to hold close to our heart.
Later on, in Is 41:17-20, further promises and miraculous blessings are shared with us…especially for those of us who are trudging through drought filled, desert wanderings. It says…17“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus.I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground. I will plant trees in the barren desert — cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine. I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means — that it is the Lord who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it.”
When we are spiritually, emotionally and physically poor – whatever your personal situation may be – we will desperately search to be nourished. We can be at deaths door (both literally and spiritually) seeking things that we think will help strengthen us, restore our mind/body/soul.
The question is – where are you looking? Are you looking at worldly ways of achieving this? Or are you desperately seeking the Lord to save you from your situation?
If you call out to the Lord, he will hear you – he never abandons us – EVER!
When he answers he will do miracles in our lives, and in our situations. In the middle of the desert will come water, the very thing that is lacking, the very thing that is needed for life. The water will be provided in abundance and will reach every area of your life. Jesus is our living water, that our Heavenly Father has provided for us. If we drink of him, we will never be spiritually thirsty.
Then there will be avenues of fruitfulness, healing and restorative building. Have a look at the trees listed here. They are used for their scent (like incense: an image of prayer in the Bible), their healing and food properties (like olives, acacia), or for building/construction purposes.
This is the crazy thing about this situation…God doesn’t remove you from the situation – instead he acts ‘WITHIN’ the situation and changes it to be one of blessing, and of restoration.
God does it because he loves us and will never abandon us…but he also does it to show his power, authority and his glory for others to see.
If you are going through a desert wandering, where all seems to be desolate and barren around you - I pray that the lord hears your prayers and acts. I pray that rivers of living water will your barren places. I pray that the miraculous happens, and where there was once death and lack, there is now plenty and fruitfulness. May God, the Great 'I AM', be with you always.
Written 19th Feb 2022