FROM MY FATHERS’ TABLE

‘LIVING BREAD’

     GOD’S PROMISE TO THOSE GOING THROUGH A DESERT

Isaiah 35:1-4 “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”

            This divine holy promise from God’s own lips, is to all who go through the wilderness, the desert, the solitary place of spiritual dryness and persecution that brings heartache, fear, and loneliness. This entire chapter speaks to Jesus’ first and then second coming. It speaks to the church awakening under the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It speaks of the Spirit of God performing miracles when He comes to the church that has walked in holiness and not given in to current trends that can water down the power of the Lord’s presence. It is both to the individual believer and to the church of Jesus Christ.

            The promise is to those even while still in the desert: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.” vs.1,2. God’s Holy Spirit does not just speak to fill up pages of scripture, He makes promises and keeps them. He will walk with you through the desert and continuously tell you to hold fast to Him and live by the word. He will cleanse and strengthen that which is weak and feeble in your life: “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” vs. 3,4. You must not give up or give in to fear and try and deal with the desert experience on your own. You will surely give in to the flesh and be defeated. Tell your weak hands and feeble knees, your shaky steps, your confused efforts, to be still and know that He is God. Believe His words and take them as your medicine for healing, and your steps for guidance every step of the way through the desert, the wilderness. His quietness at times does not mean He is not with you, that would be a lie, because He promised never to leave you or forsake you. He cannot lie, He is holy and righteous. You will lie to yourself and the devil will tell you God has abandoned you; not so! Speak His word, tell yourself to be still and believe His word.

            What will it look like when He comes? The Spirit tells it plainly: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.” vs. 5,6. Oh what joy when you receive clear understanding, when your blinded eyes are open to the truth and the light goes on in your soul! When you can once again, hear the blessed voice of the Holy Spirit speaking the truth clearly. You will leap with joy, and once again praise Him! The Spirit seems to be all around and within, and the desert begins to blossom as the rose. It’s now easier to yield to the Spirit so much more, because you have been through the wilderness, the desert and come out the other end with Jesus. Your parched dry ground becomes a pool and you can drink of the living water and bring that water to others still in their desert time.

You walk a much holier walk, called the Highway of Holiness: “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein” vs. 8.  Clearly, you are the better for going through the desert with the Holy Spirit. He can bring you up higher, you can go from glory to glory and even though you are looked upon as a fool, in His eyes you will stay closer now, have even more ability from Him to walk a clearer path and not fall away or err, make mistakes that are costly to your soul.

            Are you currently in a wilderness, a desert? Then my beloved brother or sister, stay in His promise and hold fast to the Spirit of God and His word to go with you and bring you streams in the desert and give you springs of living water.

 

Pastor Sue Lynch