See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19 NIV
Springing Up
This past spring, Edmonton put into place steps to prevent dangerous tent cities from springing up again across the city. Encampments had been growing in Edmonton all winter. Reports of deaths among residents entered the news in November and talk of camp sweeps ramped up in December. Some were cleaned up, but a number of large — and very unsafe — ones remained: from time to time, tents would go up in flames, killing those inside. In others, vulnerable teens were being sex trafficked.
***
I was watching a video the other day about changes that are happening to the Sahara Desert. There have been recent rainfalls in a usually arid region that have filled up lake beds that have been empty for years. Parts of the world’s largest arid regions are coming back to life. This is, in a spiritual sense, what Jesus does for us. Without him, there is a spiritual wasteland in the human heart that cries out to be filled with life-giving spiritual water. Jesus understood this and made the amazing declaration that He is the water of life, and anyone who drinks of Him will never thirst again. This was predicted centuries before He arrived. In Isaiah 43:19, we read, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Jesus brings life to every heart that truly trusts Him. His desire is that you not live a thirsty, needy life. He has come to quench your spiritual thirst, to do a new thing in you. Invite Him to remove your sin and guilt and replace them with His life-giving presence.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley