Quenched by Living Water

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.  Isaiah 58:11

Remember Irving Berlin’s song “We’re Having a Heat Wave”? This summer has been one of the hottest summers in Colorado.  The temperatures have reached over 90 degrees, with at least six days surpassing 100 degrees! If there was a shower, it passed quickly, leaving the air stifling and thick.  I struggled to keep my plants watered, and then I had to leave town.

I arrived home to be greeted by the picture above and was sure I had lost these plants.  Not only that, but the lawn was also completely brown. Praying for the best, I decided to water the plants and the lawn before the next evening.   When I woke up, I was amazed at the transformation in some of the flowers.  They went from shriveled-up, wilted plants to flourishing greenery in such a short time! But for the lawn? It’s been a week of watering, fertilizing, and raking, and it still has huge burnt areas.

Sometimes I feel like those wilted plants.  My own spiritual drought can be caused by exhaustion, worry, illness, loneliness, depression, or overcommitment, to name a few.  When my spirit is wilting and weak, I know I need to drink in the living water of our Lord. It is the water of the living Lord that can quench my soul and satisfy my sun-scorched spirit. Maybe you can identify.

That drink of living water can come in many ways, depending on the cause of my drought:

•  Daily devotional time
•  Reading His Word
•  Interceding in prayer with a friend
•  Nurturing a Christian friendship
•  Kneeling in worship

To name a few

Sometimes, like my flowers, I am refreshed and renewed quickly through these practices, but I have to be honest. There are times when I am like the lawn, where I have lost hope. God hasn’t left us during those times.   Sometimes, it takes longer and more effort, but God promises restoration. Even with my lawn, I have started seeing a few green sprigs. It’s so important to recognize the places God does show up and give Him gratitude.  He will satisfy your needs in a sun- scorched land.

What is causing your drought today?  Do you know that the Lord desires to restore and quench your parched soul and your sun-scorched spirit with His living water? He wants you to be a well-watered garden, bearing fruit for His glory. Where do you go to find the Living water?

Dear Lord, Forgive me when I try to handle each day on my own.  Sometimes I don’t understand the challenges, but You do.  Sometimes I am disappointed with the day-to-day discouragements, but You desire to encourage me. Sometimes the worries for my loved ones consume my time and energy, but You love them and care for them too.  I desire to drink from Your spring of Living water.   Help me to find that well and take the time to draw from it and quench my parched soul.  Amen.