"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Isaiah 35:1-4

 April 27

"The waste land and the dry places will be glad; the lowland will have joy and be full of flowers. It will be flowering like the rose; it will be full of delight and songs; the glory of Lebanon will be given to it; the pride of Carmel and Sharon: they will see the glory of the Lord, the power of our God. Make strong the feeble hands, give support to the shaking knees. Say to those who are full of fear, Be strong and take heart...the reward of God will come; he himself will come to be your savior." - Isaiah 35:1-4 (BBE)

Have you ever felt exhausted, wasted and empty? Desert seasons can happen to anyone at anytime but most frequently after stressful times such as separation, divorce, illness, loss, or disappointments. However God's loving Grace can make the soul that was a wilderness to rejoice with joy and singing and blossom abundantly. The weak and faint-hearted can be strengthened, healed, and encouraged once more when the water of God's love is poured out on our parched souls. This is the Good News of the gospel. Ironically, fear weakens us the more we fight against it yet God promises us in these verses that he will come to save us from fear in due season and restore our strength. At that time, God says we will blossom like the beautiful flowers of Carmel and Sharon. These were Judean regions of fertile soil and abundant flowers.

The poet, Thomas Tusser, once said “Sweet April showers do bring May flowers.” Likewise Isaiah gives us a poetic vision of beauty and encouragement in today's scripture and a promise of God's earthly Kingdom Jesus will bring in due season. The prophet also offers a picture of the actual world the redeemed can anticipate when Creation itself will rejoice in God's goodness. A rainbow time will come when all life will be peaceful at last and everything will be made right. In the meantime, the Lord promises that you can experience God's Kingdom now and blossom right where you are. Take heart! God is on your side.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, may the rain bring my rainbow. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: Desert flowers are the strongest.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)