DROUGHT!
I sensed the LORD telling me about the “up” side of a drought. In the natural New York and California have really suffered this year in these areas. To the point of water having to be rationed in some areas. It has been devastating to man, beast, and crops.
Here in NY it is over. I can see it in the natural and I can smell, and see the rains coming.
I also sense that it is symptom of droughts that are taking place in the lives of many. Financial, spiritual, health wise, political, ministry, maybe hope and vision etc. Many are being affected in these areas. The waterfall and well is around the corner. I sense weariness and even despair.
The definition of drought is according to Webster: “1: a period of dryness especially when prolonged; specifically: one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth. 2: a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired.
Can you relate? Especially #2!
In the natural again especially, in regard to trees, in times of drought the tree knows to forces its roots to go deeper and search out water! God has shown even trees what is necessary to survive! In fact, one could say that when the roots grow deeper these trees are more and more established and unwavering in times of severe winds and storms.
Isn’t that what it should do to us? Using these times not to sink to despair or hopelessness, but to honker down with God and go deep, deeper and deeper until we hit His wells of Living water. As deep calls unto deep.
“1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his Law Day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.”
I believe God allows ‘drought” in our lives for many reasons. 1) to have us appreciate more the, times of rain, and waterfalls, (does not ice cold water taste even better when we are parched and thirsty?) 2) to prompt us to go deeper with Him.3) that are roots would go far, and that we would be firmly established in Him, that no storm would ever knock us over.
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you”
The word and the promise I sense He is wanting me to communicate, is that we will not perish, and we will thrive no matter how dry and thirsty it gets. I also sense Him reminding us that droughts do not last forever, because He is forever, and He is in us!
Isaiah 40:8 ESV
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” We can take this to the bank!
Some of you out there are in a drought, but His words will never cease, and neither will His covenant promises to us. It is difficult to see sometime when it looks like everything around us looks like it is perishing, and or it seems that everything we touch is turning brown.
These are the times to go deeper and deeper with Him, until we hit those wells of Living Water, they are there for sure and will be found!
The grass is back green again here in NY, and the drought is over in more ways than one! He is making us oaks!
Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
3 “and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.”
Finally, I hear Him say:
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine! When you go through deep waters, I will be with you; When you go through the rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up, the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God. - Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV.
Someone needed to hear this today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will thrive!!!
Josephine Marie Ayers/Flames of Fire Ministries
josephine@flamesoffire.us
September 12, 2016