How many times have you tried to enter into the presence of God and it just feels like God hasn't met you there? How many times have you tried to just sit and talk to Him and praise Him but He just seems so far away? How many times have you cried out and it seems like He is ignoring your anguish? How many times have you needed God yet He seemed so non-existent?
I can say that this has happened many times to me. I've sat down to met with God but it's like He didn't get the invite. Or I go to praise Him but He's to busy caring about His other daughters to listen to my worship.
This morning as I was reading my bible I came across Jeremiah 14. During this time in Isreal's history there was a major drought. I cannot be certain about how long this drought had lasted, but I do know that this was a serious problem!!
Jeremiah 14 vs 3-4
The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing they cover their heads. The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.
How many times have you set out with the best intentions of getting water from God's river but come back empty handed? All those times that you are desperate for the hand of God in your personal, spiritual life. All those times you are so dry and need the water of life and truth to survive. Yet it's just not there!! You go to fetch this life-dependant substance and it's no where to be seen!!
5-6
Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass. Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food.
Because you are not recieving this water, and consequently any nutrients, you abandon your baby or your 'faith'. Because its been so long since you recieved God's word you begin to falter and lose faith and sight that this drought will ever end.
8-9
You are the hope of Isreal, it's Saviour in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who only stays at night? Why are you like someone taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!
I think in these two verses we need to look at the "you are among us, Lord" as this is such a crucial moment in this chapter. Here is a person, in the middle of a drought. People are dying, livestock are dying. There is no food, no water. Tomorrow is no certainty yet this person is saying that God is here. That God, who has power to stop all of this happening, is there among them. That despite such a hardship, God is living!
How many times, when you have been spiritually dry and dying, have you cried out and proclaimed that God is AMONG us? That even though the world is spiritually hungry and searching, God is living! That even though people are dying, God still cares!!
God is always there. God is always loving on you and waiting for you. He's waiting for you to get to a place where you can stand strong in your faith and proclaim truth, even though satan is trying to prove otherwise. Even though spiritually you are in the biggest drought of your life.
Prepare yourself for the rain, oh nations!
Prepare yourself for a flood
Prepare yourself for an out pouring
Of our Fathers love!
Do not cover yourself in shame, oh nations!
Do not despair
Do not turn away from the well
Even though the skies are clear
Prepare yourself for the rain, oh nations!
Prepare yourself for a flood
Prepare yourself for an out pouring
Of our Fathers love!
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