Desert Blooms

Have you ever felt dried up and parched? In my time walking with the Lord I have found that in that desert, in that heat that sometimes seems intolerable, in that place where there just is not any rain there can be growth.

Imagine that still, small voice is whispering to you even in that place, or should I say especially in that place? 

Child, it is a glorious day even though you don't SEE the sunshine yet because it is still early.

Bask in my presence, soak up my love and reach out to those around you. I will deliver captives.

Deserts bloom when watered by my Spirit and my Word. Enjoy. Rejoice. Selah.

Isaiah tells us much about opening blind eyes, setting captives free and releasing those who sit in dungeon darkness. Such descriptions, have you been in places like that recently? Take hope then for HE is able to release you and use all that apparently 'undesirable' to work His best in your life. (Isaiah 42:7)

Can you trust Him even in the dungeon? You most certainly can. It is in the desert and dungeon that we can see His most incredible faithfulness the best, even in that darkness.

to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. (Isaiah 49:9 NIV)

[The Year of the LORD's Favor] The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners ... (Isaiah 61:1 NIV)

Thank you, Lord, that you help us to bloom in dry places and that you have set us free (and continue to set us free) AND enable us to reach out to help others to see freedom in You. What an incredible calling, what an incredible blessing. May we get to the place where we can even thank you in the darkness. AMEN. —Marijo Phelps