Rejoicing in the Desert

Renewal in a Dry Place!

“The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God” (Isaiah 35:1-2 NLT).

Lush vegetation and radiant flowers are unexpected in a desert wasteland. Even their geographic monikers indicate the expectation of desolation: deserted comes from desert, and wasteland is considered just that … wasted land. No value is associated with the terrain. There is no agricultural value, no produce expected, and very little signs of life. It’s not much of a place for celebration. 

The prophet Isaiah was inspired by the wilderness to predict a miraculous future expectation. A change is coming. Something new is going to happen, and streams of water will course through the dry places causing an amazing renewal of life. Against the backdrop of fruitless desert sands comes the blessing of provision and the beauty of bountiful blooms. A land where others struggled to survive becomes a place for a party, rejoicing, singing, and joyful dancing. 

The barren brush blooms with new life, flowers sprout up unexpectedly, and new growth brings fresh vision and new color to the landscape. The difference is in the water. Springs bubbling up through the parched ground, streams flowing and coursing through dry washes produce the necessary hydration for germination. Buried seeds long dormant beneath the surface drink in the needed moisture to ignite growth and the impetus to bring forth new life. Where the river flows there is life. 

Whenever the Spirit moves into a dry place there is renewal. The stream of God’s presence provides the power for resurrection, transformation, and fruitfulness, from a life that once looked wasted and hopeless. Jesus proclaimed the promise, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38 NKJ). The Holy Spirit, which He promised is that well of living water, the river of His Spirit that brings hope, new life, and rejoicing in the desert!



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).