Thank God! Finally Out of the Desert

Everyone who heard Jesus speak that day knew what he was talking about. After 40 years of wilderness wanderings, stumbling over stones, and getting worn out under the scorching hot sun, the people of Israel had come to the Jordan River. 

The last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot, had come. Eight days of living in small booths were over. 

In Jesus' experience at the Temple in Jerusalem on that day, we read, "On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.' By this, he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive." John 7:37-39

Thank God! They were finally out of the desert. Their new life was about to begin. 

I'm reminded of God's purposes as he revealed the end of thornbushes, briers, and weeds in the desert. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers, the myrtle will grow." Isaiah 55:9-13

My prayer is this. Just as Jesus proclaimed an abundant life for people who came to him, and drank from his words, so you, too, will be enriched with abundant joy and peace.