they will spring up like grass in a meadow

Isaiah 44: 3-5  For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground  I will pour out my Spirit and my blessing on your descendants.  They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like a poplar trees by flowing streams.  One will say, "I belong to the Lord." Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, "The Lord's" and take the name of Israel.

During those tough teen years when kids are figuring out what they think of the faith they have been brought up in and what they will do with this Jesus their parents have set before them I found this passage and highlighted it in my NAS and my NIV.  I wanted to find it quickly and easily to remind myself that no matter what my eyes saw, how badly I failed, how badly my children failed, God would nourish and work it out.  He would pour water on thirsty land and streams on dry ground.  In those years I was often dry ground, parched and cracking.  So I would come to this place and be reminded that I would see meadows and trees by the streams - someday.

Someday is today.  The fullness of those words and the truth of the promise gained life as our grand joys found their way into our lives and our hearts.  Water on thirsty land.  The blessings multiply throughout the years.  But the joy of seeing our grandchildren learn about Jesus and my children walking in faith is a blessing beyond what I could have expected or known.

Perhaps the concern for today is not children.  Maybe it's a bank account that is not quite meeting the bills.  Perhaps it's a diagnosis that even the word terrifies.  A loved one has died and we are left with the memories, the grief of loss, and the loneliness of forced aloneness.  A single life that was filled with passionate pursuit is now simply lonely.  The marriage did not, is not bringing the fulfillment expected.

Whatever the dryness is, there is still hope.  In John 4 we are told of the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at the well of Jacob.  He talks to her for just a few moments and confirms what she says and all of a sudden she gets it.  She runs to town and announces that this man has told her everything she ever did.  The towns people leave their work and go out to the well to see this man.  She was overflowing with living water and they recognized it. They saw the dry land had been saturated in living water and went to the source.

Whatever your life circumstances, he is the answer.  He is the comfort you seek, the healing you need, the answer to the question, and the provider of your needs.  It may not look like what you thought it should, but it will be exactly what it should be when it is laid down before the Mighty God, the Creator, the Most High.  Laying it down in fear and trembling before the One who holds the key to everything, finding the peace that comes only from Him and in the most unpeaceful times, that is gift that is found this side of eternity as we learn to trust him.

Hang on his Word.  He is trustworthy when all else fails.