God of the Desert and the Oasis
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Jeremiah 31:12-14 NIV
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD--the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD.
Did you ever feel as if you part of some great cosmic force, moving, ebbing and flowing in time with the stars and the moon and the sun? That’s how I’ve felt over the past couple of days. Actually, I’ve felt that way for a while, but the ebb and flow wasn’t moving the way I thought it should! Funny . . . when things are going well, perhaps even better than we imagined, we give God the glory and the credit. When we feel like nothing is going our way . . . we blame God, or at least feel a little miffed with Him! I shouldn’t speak for everyone – that “we” should really be “I.” Feel free to insert ‘Me’ and ‘I’ as appropriate, though.
Chapter 31 lists all the good things God will do for His people once they come out of captivity. They have been enslaved and impoverished for a long time, and have become pretty hopeless. Jeremiah receives a wonderful message from God to share with the people. Jeremiah announces that God has heard their cries and He is moving to restore them as a great people. He tells them to take heart, have endurance; come out of the desert into the fertile, rich lands of your forefathers.
The desert can be literal or spiritual. I’ve discussed this topic over the past few days. God has delivered me into a “well-watered oasis” and I know how exciting, joyous and grateful I have felt. So I really can relate to the joy and thanksgiving God’s chosen people must have felt upon hearing this great news! Wow! Home! Let’s go! God has finally delivered us! Let’s throw a party to celebrate! Oh . . . let’s not forget to thank God – and to beg forgiveness for our doubting Him.
I forget that part sometimes. Well, actually I think about it after the fact! In the midst of my desert wandering, I all too often get grumpy with God. I pout at Him and though I do pray and regularly spend time in His Word, I all too often find myself thinking that He really should pay more attention to me and my little life and my little wants and needs. I ask myself, “Can’t he see I’m having a hard time here!? What’s the deal?” Does that sound remotely familiar for you and your life?
I do beat myself up about that, but not too much—because I have Jesus Christ as my savior! His sacrifice erased all that sinful thinking and lack of thanksgiving, and washed me clean—made my soul pure white, like freshly fallen snow. All the more reason to throw a party when you’re at that oasis! I hope by sharing my shortcomings and failings – and asserting that I rejoice that I have already been forgiven before I even sin – that you may be reassured. Wherever you are in your journey, at the edge of the desert beginning the long, barren trek, or at the edge of the oasis, ready to dive in the cool refreshing waters, God is there with you. He loves us so much, and He is so big and so strong and mighty, that He allows us to retreat within ourselves for a while. He waits for us to return and then greets us with open arms.
I can’t help but offer this brief prayer of thanksgiving this morning, “Oh, my God, I love you so much for your unending, unceasing and unwavering love and mercy. And I am so grateful and humbled beyond expression for the gift of Jesus Christ.”
My prayer today is that you remember God is with you, even in the desert. And that you are able to endure, knowing He waits for you at the oasis to celebrate with you.
Mary
