What a fire season we have had this summer! Fall is on the way, so it’s a good time to be praying for rain and snow in the upcoming months.
We do live in the desert, so we expect dryness. Therefore, recently I have been impressed reading through the Psalms as words have jumped off the page before me: “In a dry and weary land where there is no water,” “as a parched land,” and “the deer pants for the water brooks.” Although it sounds like Nevada, the Psalmists are not writing about the physical landscape.
Each line in those particular Psalms is about a time of spiritual dryness and the longing for spiritual refreshing. “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1). Only God is the answer for such a spiritual drought.
A thousand years later, during his ministry, Jesus’ focus is on the same issue. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38).
Jesus is the answer for a spiritual drought in the land! I’m ready for living water to flow from within me! Are you? Local churches can help us all find the fountain!
As the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength and shield;
To you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
~Martin Nystrom, 1984
Bruce Henderson, Airport Road Church of Christ, Carson City, www.carsoncitychurchofchrist.com.