Withered and Parched, revisited

I discovered recently that my most-viewed post of all time is one I wrote in 2008, called "Withered and Parched." I thought it was interesting that such a sober topic would fetch so many views, and I'm still not sure why it did, but I hope it ministered to the people who read it.

I'm still on break from blogging, but I thought of that post recently and thought that parts of it (in bold) might be worth re-posting.  Five years later, I find myself in a similar place, and am blessed to be reminded of God's faithfulness during that time, and look forward to seeing His faithfulness now.

Isaiah 58:11, "And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." 

It was a verse that was preached during a church service the night before.  It completely met me where I was at, heartsick and weary, and its promise of renewal began a season of healing.

Here's what I said about it then:

Here are some definitions of scorched, according to Dictionary.com

1. To wither or parch with intense heat.
2. To destroy (land and buildings) by or as if by fire so as to leave nothing salvageable to an enemy army

...In the heat of trial's fire, I've at times suffered the devastating loss of hope, and it has left me withered and parched. Sometimes I wonder how I even got out the door and carried on through my day. I often feel destroyed and un-salvageable, like the ruins of an ancient city that have nothing to offer but an example of the desolation and emptiness of failure and a display of damage for tourists to take pictures in front of.

But!

...Not only is the Lord guiding me through these trials, but He Himself will satisfy my desires and replace all that I lost with more of Himself. He'll strengthen what's weak in me. He'll revive me with His unfailing spring of living water.

What a fantastic promise! Despite my brokenness, I can cling to the knowledge that this scorched place will become a watered garden. This desert of disappointment will be a paradise of God's grace--to God be the glory!

It's amazing how His promises hold true, no matter the trial, no matter the number of years since you last clung to it.  I hope this encourages you, reader, whoever you are.  If you don't know the Lord whose promise is found in that verse, turn to Him and ask Him to heal you; His strength is perfect, His love is unending, and His goodness is a bottomless fountain.