SATISFIED IN DROUGHT -- Monday:
"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought . . . " (Isaiah 58:11).
Under the Law, God revealed His desire to bless the people. The Law, however, was not a proper vehicle for blessing, demanding perfect and continual obedience. When, therefore, the Law announced God's intention to bless, it was always preceded by the most exacting terms. For example, "if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day" (Deut 28:1). The Law promised no grace to enable people to do this. Every command had to be obeyed in every way and at all times. In the text before us, a similar requirement was given. " . . . loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke . . . deal thy bread to the hungry . . . bring the poor that are cast out to thy house . . . take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking . . . draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul . . . " (58:5-10). Again, these things had to be done with consistency and without interruption. Because of this condition, very few people ever enjoyed the fulness of God's promises. Still, they were spoken and written, that succeeding generations might know the things that could be enjoyed.
Now that Christ has taken away the sins of the world, and is enthroned on the right hand of God, "all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (2 Cor 1:20). That is because they are now realized by faith instead of works! There is no need to haggle about whether or not works are involved, for faith always leads people to do the will of God – always. It is only when men cease to believe that they cease to obey and work.
The promise of our text is most glorious. The soul will be "satisfied" in the very midst of "drought," or "scorched places," NASB or "a sun scorched land." NIV When every natural resource has dried up, "thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." The believer will flourish when nourishment appears impossible. It will be like waters breaking out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert (Isa 35:6). It will be like a tender plant springing from a root in dry and hardened soil (Isa 53:2). Even when youths are fainting and weary, and strong and vigorous young men and stumbling and falling, "they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa 40:29-31).
Even though the people of God dwell in "a dry and thirsty land, where no water is," there is still refreshment and satisfaction to be found in the Lord (Psa 63:1). A person of faith deplores spiritually impoverished times and places. But such grievous circumstances do not drive them to murmuring and despair. God has promised, "the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought," and that promise belongs to those in Jesus! You can still have an abundant table spread before you "in the presence" of your "enemies" (Psa 23:5). Your soul can flourish like a well watered garden, even though you are in a spiritual desert. The world cannot diminish Divine supplies. Faith can lay hold of them even though everything around believers seems to say it is not possible. In a world filled with and dominated by dissatisfaction, our souls can be satisfied Praise the Lord!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for spiritual refreshment – streams in the desert and waters in a dry and thirsty land.