Hidden life ∙∙

Hidden life ∙∙

When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law – Galatians 4:4

Isaiah 35:3-10

 3 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.

 4 Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

 5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.

 6 The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.

 7 The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds, and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.

 10 Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy.

Many of us have witnessed the recurring patterns of growth that occur during specific times of the year. During autumn, plants undergo a dormancy phase as they brace themselves for the upcoming chilly weather. On the other hand, spring’s arrival brings forth new life as the temperature and rainfall increase.

Sometimes “seasons” can be irregular and seasonal changes can deviate from their typical patterns. In the Mojave Desert, an incalculable number of wildflower seeds lie buried beneath the sand, waiting for the ideal conditions to flourish. Under the right conditions and at the right time, a profusion of vibrant, stunning wildflowers emerges and covers the earth with their vibrant, beautiful colors.

The dry desert must be soaked by abundant rain and warmed by the sun at just the right times. Otherwise, the desert is just a desert.

So it is with us. Our lives can sometimes resemble a desert, dry and barren, with no end in sight. During such trying times, doubts may arise within us about the involvement and love of our heavenly Father in our lives. These doubts can intensify when we feel backed up against a wall, leading us to question the truth of our faith.

But we forget that the Father created both the seasons and the unseen seeds of life. He also controls the timing of the events of our lives.

Time was created by the Father to enable humanity to experience sequence and change. To the Father, every moment exists in the present, and He sees the end from the beginning.

REFLECT & PRAY

Reflecting upon my life, I acknowledge experiencing arid seasons and periods of growth and beauty. I realize that I am not in charge of either.

Father I acknowledge that You are in control and sovereign. You have appointed time for everything under heaven. Encourage me to stand firm in times of drought and doubt.

INSIGHT

We encounter situations that we cannot comprehend. They make no sense to us. Nevertheless, the unseen hand of our loving, heavenly Father has always been at work. Suddenly, we find ourselves in the right place at the right time. What happens next is truly incredible.

The Father has given us His word to provide truth and encouragement during difficult times. The Father provides promises. There is a time coming when the Father will make all things right. Undoubtedly, the Old Testament prophesied the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ at the appointed time chosen by God. Several specific miracles were prophesied.

Isaiah 35:4-6

 4 Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

 5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.

 6 The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.

During His time on earth, the Lord Jesus performed specific miracles that served as evidence of His identity. These miracles were signs meant to validate His divine nature. Even John the Baptist, the great forerunner of the Messiah, experienced grave doubts when he was incarcerated and facing imminent death. His entire world had been upended, leading him to question if the Lord Jesus Christ was the long-awaited Messiah. However, the response he received was prompt and unambiguous. The Father’s promises regarding Jesus were being fulfilled as predicted.

Matthew 11:2-5

 2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus,

 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

 4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen –

 5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

Matthew 16:15-17

 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

Even during seasons of drought and drenching storms, we can rely on the faithfulness of the Father. He will lead us through these difficult times.

Under the right conditions and at the right time, our parched souls will indeed bloom!

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 3-22-1

© Dr. H 2023