Beneath the Surface

I just spent a few hours with my friend Teri. In the course of our conversation, we talked about dry ground. Friends we know are experiencing “dry ground” in their lives right now. The two of us in our own ways have experienced dry ground in our lives recently too.

But unlike we frequently think, though we only see dry ground, that does not mean nothing is happening. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface, things that we can’t perceive or imagine.

Maybe you’re in a place of dry ground right now. God’s not speaking nor is He making His presence known. Be encouraged that God is doing a beautiful work below the surface of your dry ground.

Did you know there was a period of 400 years in which the people of God heard nothing from God? The prophets had no more messages to deliver to the people because God was not speaking. The people had heard the prophecies of a coming Messiah, the promised Deliverer of God’s people. And yet, where was He? Where was this Hope of the World? Talk about incredibly dry ground – not hearing from God for centuries, nor seeing the fulfillment of God’s promises. And then…

Then Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the long-awaited Deliverer of God’s people, came into the world. “[He] grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground” (Isaiah 53:2).

Earlier in the prophecies of Isaiah, the prophet wrote this about the coming Messiah:

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.” (Isaiah 11:1-5)

When this promised Deliverer, Jesus, came He was such a breath of refreshment and new life for those who had prepared their hearts for Him, who were ready to receive the Promise.

As we look toward the season of Christmas, at the end of the month we’ll enter a season called Advent. Advent is a period of preparation and expectancy, when we’re watching and preparing for the coming of our Deliverer.

If you’re weary and wondering if the promises of God will ever be fulfilled in your life, hold fast. God’s promises will always, always, always be fulfilled.Let this dry time be a season of preparation for you, a time to wait expectantly for the coming of God’s promises fulfilled.

You are dearly loved, and God working something beautiful beneath the surface of your dry ground.

“If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.” Habakkuk 2:3