A Blooming Desert
Scripture: Isaiah 41:17,18 (KJV)- " 17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water."
Ever wondered what the driest place on earth is? That is, excluding the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Not sure? Well, let me tell you. It is found in South America; Chile to be precise - it's the Atacama desert! This desert covers approximately 600 miles and experiences only about 0.6 inches of rainfall, per year!
But on rare occasions (every 5 to 7 years), this parched landscape experiences rain showers that transform it into a beautifully garbed terrain. The Atacama is in these seasons robed in flowers and plants of more than 200 species. This occurrence is referred to as the 'desierto florido' or 'flowering desert phenomenon'.
A similar phenomenon exists in the life of the genuine Christian who is born again of the Holy Spirit. Before we come to Jesus, we are parched, dry and barren, full of sin and unable to produce anything good. (Psalm 14:3, Isaiah 64:6) However, when we search for Jesus and cry out to Him because of our thirst, the Lord says He will hear us and "open rivers in high places and fountains in the midst of valleys" (Isaiah 41:18).
"For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;" - Isaiah 44:3 (NKJV)
When this water - the Holy Spirit comes, we are renewed and regenerated. (Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17) We walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4) and the Holy Spirit performs good works through us! (Philippians 2:13) We, like the dry ground, become vessels to display the magnificence of God to others when we blossom, bloom and bear fruit, "that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this". (Isaiah 41:20)
Let's pray for the rain of the Holy Spirit to fall on us; not once every 5 to 7 years like the Atacama, but every single day of our lives that we may bear fruit unto holiness (Romans 6:22).
Prayer: Dear Jesus, let Your Holy Spirit rain down on us that we may bear his fruit in our lives so that others may see and glorify the Father who is in Heaven, In Your Name, Amen.
