“The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving, and the sound of singing.” Isaiah 51:3 (NIV).
The first glimpses of warmer weather and sunshine are so encouraging after a heavy and long Canadian winter! It makes us want to dust off the cobwebs and air out the house after being cooped up inside for so long. On a larger scale, after two years of battling a Pandemic, we also might be itching for something new – for a “springtime” to come.
Maybe the last two years have felt like a desert season for you. Perhaps it felt like wandering around an endless wilderness like the Israelites did, waiting on a Promised Land that didn’t seem to arrive soon enough. As John Bevere points out, this is a popular pattern in the Bible. Whether it’s Jesus tempted in the wilderness, Joseph in prison, or the Israelites wandering around, desert seasons are often a part of God’s training program to grow us. And in the middle of desert seasons, we long for lush gardens, just like bitter winters make us dream of springtime.
Winter – and the Pandemic – often make us wonder, “When will this end?” But unfortunately, as Jesus said: “Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:7 (MSG) We often don’t get to know “when,” but we do get to experience God through the Holy Spirit while we wait. So, if you are finding yourself in a desert (or winter) season longing for something else, we can remember that God is the one who makes all things new – in His time. Easter is a marvelous reminder that God brings death to life. He brings beauty from ashes. He quenches the thirst of our dry souls. He saves and redeems what appeared to be lost beyond hope. He who started a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.
Heavenly Father, thank you that you are faithful through all the highs and lows of life. Thank you that you know the way to go; you know the path to take, even if it means a trip in the wilderness. We know that you are kind and compassionate, and you will make all things new in your timing. We trust you as you lead us today. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen!
Your Turn! Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you!
