March 3
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, my blessing on your offspring. Isaiah 44:3
In Arizona, there are times the desert is completely dry and appears lifeless to the unknowing eye. The earth is so parched from the intense heat and lack of water, that with the slightest bit of wind, it swirls about smarting one’s nose, mouth and eyes. Even our skin feels tighter with the lack of moisture evident. Thirsty, withered plant life is tossed about like fluff. Wherever one looks in the desert, it appears desolate and barren. Creatures that do live there hide under rocks and sticks and in deep holes underground - wherever they can to survive . . . then a burst of rain! Magically, a whole new world comes to life! Nearly right before one’s eyes this beauty emerges. Seeds buried in the once arid sand and scorched earth burst forth, dull browns and grey become magnificent shades of green as they begin to shoot up! Grasses sprout too, and cacti along with wildflowers bloom almost instantly in hues of pinks and orange, all amidst a kaleidoscope of color! In the once vacant river beds, lively activity of swirling and shifting water spreads outward on its journey to reach those areas needing its vital sustenance. Suddenly, miraculously, overhead a rainbow appears; God’s signature has been placed on His entire splendor. It is an awesome sight!
So like us; so like our thirsty hearts. How many times have we been in the desert? How many times have we been so parched and dry of spirit that we did not know how to get out of the desert? How many times have we smarted with the sting of defeat, pain over a situation we had absolutely no control over or disappointment in our own failings? As always our God reassures us. He will not let us remain thirsting for Him. No matter how lifeless and hopeless things appear, He will bring life to us once again with the pouring of His spirit upon us. He will shower us again with the many blessings we desperately need. How extraordinary to think about God showering His blessings not only on us, but our descendants also!
What an analogy God gave to Isaiah to help us understand His love for us! Just as in the deserts of Arizona there is a time for the water to flow; there is a time for our dry empty hearts to be ready to absorb the spirit of life that God has prepared to pour over us. With ready open hearts we will receive His many blessings.
Father of all creation, we wait for you to fill our dry, vacant hearts with new life!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, my blessing on your offspring. Isaiah 44:3
In Arizona, there are times the desert is completely dry and appears lifeless to the unknowing eye. The earth is so parched from the intense heat and lack of water, that with the slightest bit of wind, it swirls about smarting one’s nose, mouth and eyes. Even our skin feels tighter with the lack of moisture evident. Thirsty, withered plant life is tossed about like fluff. Wherever one looks in the desert, it appears desolate and barren. Creatures that do live there hide under rocks and sticks and in deep holes underground - wherever they can to survive . . . then a burst of rain! Magically, a whole new world comes to life! Nearly right before one’s eyes this beauty emerges. Seeds buried in the once arid sand and scorched earth burst forth, dull browns and grey become magnificent shades of green as they begin to shoot up! Grasses sprout too, and cacti along with wildflowers bloom almost instantly in hues of pinks and orange, all amidst a kaleidoscope of color! In the once vacant river beds, lively activity of swirling and shifting water spreads outward on its journey to reach those areas needing its vital sustenance. Suddenly, miraculously, overhead a rainbow appears; God’s signature has been placed on His entire splendor. It is an awesome sight!
So like us; so like our thirsty hearts. How many times have we been in the desert? How many times have we been so parched and dry of spirit that we did not know how to get out of the desert? How many times have we smarted with the sting of defeat, pain over a situation we had absolutely no control over or disappointment in our own failings? As always our God reassures us. He will not let us remain thirsting for Him. No matter how lifeless and hopeless things appear, He will bring life to us once again with the pouring of His spirit upon us. He will shower us again with the many blessings we desperately need. How extraordinary to think about God showering His blessings not only on us, but our descendants also!
What an analogy God gave to Isaiah to help us understand His love for us! Just as in the deserts of Arizona there is a time for the water to flow; there is a time for our dry empty hearts to be ready to absorb the spirit of life that God has prepared to pour over us. With ready open hearts we will receive His many blessings.
Father of all creation, we wait for you to fill our dry, vacant hearts with new life!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson