Dead Things Come Alive!

“The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds”  (Numbers 17:8 NIV).

In an effort to settle a leadership dispute among the tribes of Israel, God gave Moses an unusual assignment. He was asked to collect walking sticks from each of the twelve tribes and place them before the Ark of the Covenant in the tabernacle. The contention was against Moses and Aaron, as representatives of the tribe of Levi. Other stronger tribes and more forceful leaders felt they should have been given more authority over the affairs of the people. 

This test was a dramatic overnight miracle to show, without a doubt, that Moses and Aaron has been selected and appointed as God’s representatives to lead all the tribes of Israel. Moses did not know what God had planned. He just obeyed what God asked him to do. All of the staffs were dead and dry sticks that had been used for a long time to walk rough trails in the wilderness and perhaps ward off varmints that might seek to attack a lone traveler walking through the desert. None of the sticks had a sign of life and no one knew what was about to happen. 

The next morning when Moses went to retrieve the sticks, he was as surprised as anyone else that the staff of Aaron had sprouted, produced buds, blooms, and mature, ripened almonds! No one could explain or deny this incredible miracle. A dry staff had produced fruit overnight in the presence of the Almighty God. 

This is the first of many lessons demonstrating that nothing is too hard for God. He is well able to bring life to dead things. What began early in the Scriptures became a theme, God is the source of life. The one who spoke every living thing into existence holds the power of life and death in His hand. 

We may draw courage from this truth, when God speaks dead things come to life. In His presence there is resurrection and restoration. Dead things come to life under His authority! 



Theme passage:
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives” (Romans 6:4 NLT).

Renewal in a Dry Place!

“There will be a highway of holiness called the Sacred Way. The impure will not be permitted on this road, but it will be accessible to God’s people” (Isaiah 35:8 TPT).

The miraculous events associated with the coming Messiah would include springs of water in parched places, and rivers in the desert. As a result there would be fruitful abundance from previously barren ground, and wonderful produce from what had been a wasteland. Finally, the Prophet Isaiah predicted the construction of a great road providing access throughout the land, and he named it the Highway of Holiness, the sacred way! 

This roadway brought new possibilities to a secluded region and made easy access for the abundance of provision coming from this radical renewal of a dry place. What seemed like a physical description of the desert region of their country became a metaphor for the spiritual renewal that would spring to life when the Promised One appeared, bringing transformation to the wasteland and rivers of life to the deserted. 

In another passage, the timing of this natural and spiritual phenomenon would be announced by a messenger, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God’” (Isaiah 40:3 NKJ). This roadway would straighten the dangerous curves, and level the mountains and valleys to make sure everyone can have access to the Glory of God. 

Though the Glory of the Lord was made visible to all, access to this Sacred Way was limited to those who came through the proper lanes. It has limited access. It is a pure path, a dedicated passage into the realm of all that God has promised. The access to the Way is not to keep anyone out, but to assure that all who enter come through the door. Jesus said, “I am the door” (John 10:9 NKJ). There is no other access into eternal life. There is no other way. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJ).

This Sacred Way is a highway of holiness. It is separation from the world, and dedication to God. It brings life and hope to those who once lived in the dry parched places of spiritual deprivation. Come, enter through Jesus, into this Sacred Way!

Theme passage:
“… Gushing water will spring up in the wilderness and streams will flow through the desert. The burning sand will become a refreshing oasis, the parched ground bubbling springs …” (Isaiah 35:6-7 TPT).

Renewal in a Dry Place!

Terry R. Baughman
“Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived” (Isaiah 35:6-7 NLT).

Barrenness is associated with the desert terrain. There are few signs of life and little to sustain an existence in the wilderness. Vegetation is limited to cacti, wispy trees, and scrub brush, clinging to survival with every drop of water they can retain. 

The vast deserts may be identified as a wasteland, lacking value when it comes to productivity or fruitfulness. However, when springs break through the parched ground and flow into dry places the wasteland bursts forth with life. Streams flow down toward the valleys and pool in lower places, feeding the germination of seeds that were once thought dead, dry, and done. One never knows the potential of growth in what appears to be a wasteland. 

Isaiah saw a future transformation. He prophesied and described how the desert bloomed and the barren wasteland became filled with reeds and rushes, the vegetation of a well-watered place. The desert was no longer barren and fruitfulness returned to the vacant landscape. What was once appeared to be sand dunes and worthless dirt became an oasis, a place of refreshing and rest. 

Water is essential to life. It has the power to bring resurrection to a dry seed, and the ability to produce life in a new believer. The universal availability of water provides a promise that all may find a stream for refreshing. No doubt, that is why Jesus used water as the substance and symbol of the washing away of our sins. 

One night, Jesus met with Nicodemus and responded to his questions, “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5 NIV). Our faith and spiritual experience is demonstrated in the water! 

Much like the river in a desert brings resurrection of life to the dry places, water baptism signifies new life in every believer. By faith in the name of Jesus, and through His blood that was shed for our sins, baptism provides a cleansing, a refreshing, and the promise that we may rise to walk in a new life! (See Acts 2:38.) Regardless of our past mistakes, how far we have traveled from His presence, or how barren and hopeless our surroundings appear, we can be assured there is new life coming where the water flows. 

On the final day of the feast in Jerusalem, Jesus called to all who were thirsty, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38 NIV).  The gift of the Spirit will produce life in every believer. The dead comes back to life, and resurrection power is working in our veins. The water of the Spirit will bring life to the wasteland of unfulfilled promises. We can live again! 

    
Theme passage:
“… Gushing water will spring up in the wilderness and streams will flow through the desert. The burning sand will become a refreshing oasis, the parched ground bubbling springs …” (Isaiah 35:6-7 TPT).

Renewal in a Dry Place!

“…He is coming to save you. And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!” (Isaiah 35:4-6 NLT).

When Messiah comes, everything changes. Most visible, the desert topography is altered to become a lush and fertile scene. Flowers and produce are found in abundance, and water springs up in unexpected places, long dried and cracked from drought. With the rivers and springs comes life and an abundance of flora blossom with fragrant blooms. 

The prophet Isaiah prophesied the arrival of the One who would fulfill every prediction. The implication of His arrival would bring spiritual renewal, restoration, and salvation for all humanity. The influence of His spiritual victory would impact the natural world as all of creation cries for redemption. (See Romans 8:19-22.) 

When He comes miracles occur. Blinded eyes are opened. The deaf rejoice with new sounds and the mute celebrate with song. Those unable to walk run and leap with great joy. This was the sign long anticipated and was the evidence John the Baptist needed for confirmation. Jesus told the messengers to simply report the witness of miracles to the prophet in prison to confirm His ministry. Messiah had come! 

​So today, we can expect the same when He comes. Jesus steps into impossible situations and changes the expected outcome. Springs of renewal burst forth in dry places that have waited without hope. Rivers of revival flow into the desert bringing restoration and life. We can expect miracles when He comes. Deliverance and transformation are instantaneous when He comes! Salvation is present and possible for every lost one, when He comes!


Theme passage:
“… Gushing water will spring up in the wilderness and streams will flow through the desert. The burning sand will become a refreshing oasis, the parched ground bubbling springs …” (Isaiah 35:6-7 TPT).