Isaiah 35:6-7 “...For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water...”

Great Sand Dunes National Park is in southern Colorado.  In the middle of a mountain range there is this 29 miles of desert.  People visit there and climb the vast hills of nothing but sand.  The sand gets very hot in mid-day but if you visit at the right time of year there is a stream of water that runs at the base of the dunes.  Up on the dunes all you see is sand.  When you climb back down there is water, trees, life springs forth.  God’s grace is like a refreshing stream of water cooling the burning hot sand in the wilderness.  His grace brings foliage and growth, pools of water in the midst of a desert.  Our spiritual wilderness can be a chosen time that we step away from everything for some solitude.  It can also be a time of trial and loneliness we have not chosen.  Either way, the Lord is with us during these times.  We may feel the hot sand burning our feet but his cool waters are nearby and will soothe and cool us; He will refresh us.  He promises to deliver us and bring us everlasting joy.  Step out of the desert and into the oasis of God’s grace today.

Lord,

Thank you for refreshing streams and pools of cool water in the midst of deserts.  Thank you for your grace that refreshes our souls wherever we are and whatever we are going through.  Lift our hearts in joy as we receive renewal from you today.  Amen.