The Desert Season

"He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert." (Psalm 105:41)

An unlikely source. A deep need. An opportunity for God to bless.

Once in a while we find ourselves in the desert. An all out, nothings-going-right, God-is-being-silent, this-isn't-how-it's-supposed-to-be, can't-take-this-another-day, my-life-is-out-of-control, did-I-mention-the-not-hearing-from-God-part? ... desert. It is in those times, that we can very easily slip into the "Is God really in my midst?" trap. It is probable that during these times, we may contemplate whether He cares at all. I mean, "How can He not see that I'm on the brink of disaster?"

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 says: "Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with his manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

You may very well be in a desert. Dry, isolated, wondering, and thirsty. I encourage you to not be like the Israelites in Exodus 17 who questioned whether or not God was in their midst, whether or not He was even aware of their situation. He is with you, dear sister. He is aware of your situation. In fact, He cares deeply about what you are going through right this very moment.

Despite how uncomfortable the "desert" season can be, God will use this season for a purpose. As you are walking through the desert (or perhaps you're at the crawling stage by now; maybe even the belly crawl stage??), remember:

#1) The desert is a season. You will come through it. Alive. Triumphant, even. 1 Peter 5:10 says, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

#2) God is leading you through the desert. You are not alone. He has not forgotten you, and is very much in your midst, even though you may not "feel" Him. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

#3) God has something profound to speak into your life while in this season. There are tremendous lessons in the desert. Some which you will not even recognize until this season is over and done with. What results from this desert season, will forever be a part of your testimony of His faithfulness in your life. We can become bitter and cynical in our desert, or we can become dependent and desperate for the Word of God during our desert. Keep your eyes on Him - and remember that when this is over, He will use it for His Kingdom's purposes. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

Our God of great reversals will provide all of your needs. I am praying today, that He will cleft the rock, allowing springs of abundance to flow forth ... in your very life.

"He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert." (Psalm 105:41)

An unlikely source. A deep need. An opportunity to bless.

Isn't that just like our God?

Love to you - May He be the quencher of your thirst today.