“The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain” (Proverbs 10:11 NLT).
Rain is scarce in the desert. Many desert plants have adapted to the harsh environment by growing deep roots that can gather water from several feet under the surface. Without these deep roots, these desert plants could not stay alive. Because of this deep root system, these plants are not dependent on rainfall to get water for survival. Similarly, God allows us to go through spiritual wildernesses, where we experience a lack of His tangible presence, that we may develop a deep root system—where we learn to dig deep and access the wells of salvation.
With this in mind, Jesus invites us with these words, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit” (John 7:37–39 NKJV).
I have experienced several instances during dry seasons when I would try to pray and found it difficult to do so. One such time—seeking the Lord—I took my tent to a state park to spend the evening and next morning. After three hours of praying, worshipping, and reading my Bible, it seemed I was getting nowhere. Nothing seemed fresh—I was as dry as could be. Feeling defeated, I withdrew to my sleeping bag and tried to sleep. I hardly slept as I tossed and turned, wondering why God was not manifesting Himself to me.
The next morning I was back at it—walking the paths of the state park praying, but still feeling very dry. After an hour and a half, I threw in the towel, “Lord, I guess I am in the wilderness.” My thoughts were, “I might as well go home and quit seeking Him; He has me in this dry place, and things won’t change until He brings me out.”
I was very wrong! God does not bring us into these times to frustrate us and get us to give up until He sovereignly changes our conditions! A spiritual wilderness is not intended to be a place of failure, but of victory! Suddenly, I heard a still, small voice within me say, “Fight!”
Now equipped with a much-needed spark, I began to say, “Stir up the gift of God in me! Come forth, rivers of living water! Spring up, O well into my soul!” As I kept repeating these words found in Scripture, the prayer became more and more intense until I was rejuvenated, praying and speaking the Word of the Lord with great strength and passion. Just minutes earlier I had felt heavy and weak, but now His presence was with me in a strong way.
Many give up in these dry times, but God is urging us to dig deep and fight!
