Week 7 Friday

Oasis

Today’s scripture selection: Isaiah 34-39

Key verses: Isaiah 35:1-2

     When I graduated from seminary I was excited to find a ministry in Dallas, Texas.  It was the days of the popular “Dallas” T.V. show; I had always lived on the eastern side of the country and was ready for a change of scenery; and I kind of liked the idea of wearing cowboy boots.

     Now, Dallas is a long way from Lexington, Kentucky.  And it was another world – lots of highways, lots of traffic, and lots of tall aluminum and glass buildings.  It was anything but the prairie or desert land I naively imagined it to be.  What did I know?  All I knew about Texas I had learned watching John Wayne movies.  Still, once there, I did have some opportunity to explore and see some real desert land.  And I had plenty of opportunity – in and out of the city – to experience real heat.

     I remember one day, rolling down the highway in my little Toyota (which had no air conditioning) – the hot air blowing through the rolled down windows.  And as I sweated, I began to ponder, “What was I thinking?”

     Parched land needs water; so do parched souls.  Heat comes in all forms.  Sometimes, we just need an oasis from the daily pressure.  Well, that’s exactly what God promises us.

 

 “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.  Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.”

 

     In the midst of chapter after chapter describing warfare and destruction, suddenly, like a desert oasis, come these words from Isaiah.  And they are pure refreshment.

     When do you most need that kind of refreshment?  Is it

• When the pressures at work pile on?
• When family tensions unexpectedly blow up?
• When your bank account is looking a little too empty?
• When illness strikes?
• When you just can’t find the elusive answers to your deepest questions?
• When you are just “sick and tired of being sick and tired”?

 

Whatever the cause, when the heat is really on, remember that a little time with God can do wonders.

The desert won’t magically disappear.  But somehow, the oasis will be there too – along with the God who loves you.

    

 

     Prayer: Lord, help me to find you in the “desert times” of my life.  AMEN.