Desert Floods
In our travels back and forth across the country, we’ve seen a lot of signs. Of course, there were the typical stop signs, yield signs, and so on, but there were also some not-so-ordinary signs. We saw animal crossing signs for deer, elk, moose, turtles, cows, donkeys, horses, and bears. We came across signs warning drivers not to pick up hitchhikers because they could be escaped inmates. (I wish I were making that up!) One sign that caused my breath to catch was the one warning of the 18% downhill grade off the mountain. It may not sound like much, but let me tell you, it was a lot!!!
Then, oddly enough, there were signs at nearly every “river” crossing throughout the desert warning drivers to not enter the area when flooded. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t think twice about such a sign, but as I mentioned, these were posted in the desert, and every single “river” we drove over was nothing but a bed of dust. There was no water in sight for miles. Everything was brown and dry and barren.
Naturally, it was difficult for me to imagine when flooding in these areas would be an issue, but I was informed that when the area does receive rain, it comes so hard and so fast that flooding becomes a serious concern. Those empty riverbeds fill to overflowing, hence the warning signs.
I thought about these flood warnings during my Bible reading the other day. After spending several weeks in the desert, I longed to see water again. I missed the rivers flowing gently through the valley. I missed lakes, ponds, and oceans. I missed the water. While the desert had an exciting appeal initially, I found it boring and somewhat depressing after a while. There was so little life, so little color. And I found myself wondering if the vastness of nothingness would ever end. That’s where my Bible reading enlightened me.
“He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.”
This passage reminds me that God is mighty. He can turn rivers into dry ground and dry ground into rivers. He can create fruitfulness where the land was barren and vice versa. He turns good things into bad, bad into good. He can bring down the high and lift up the low. He can do the impossible and chooses to bless His children far beyond what we deserve. He can renew hope that is long-dead and buried and restore peace to one who has lost their way. He can make something out of our nothings. No strength? No money? No solutions? No problem. God can take care of it.
This is a comfort to me as I wander in and out of the deserts of life. When life itself seems so unfruitful, I can trust that God is working behind the scenes to bring forth life again. In the times of waiting, I know He has something extraordinary in store. On those days when I just feel “blah” and am not sure I can face another day or fake another smile, God reminds me that this too shall pass. The riverbeds won’t always be empty. Some days, they’ll overflow. The view won’t always be brown and lifeless. Some days, it will be green and vibrant. Sure, there will be some rainy days, but there will also be plenty of sunshine. God is in control of all things, and He has power over all things. This day, week, or month may seem barren, but good things are on the way.
Dear friend, God knows what you need just as He knows what I need. It may not always be what we want or when we want it, but I can guarantee you that His way and timing are always best. Hold on a little longer. Help is on the way! (Oh, and you may want to get your swim gear ready. I feel some flood waters coming in!)