The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
    the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
it shall blossom abundantly
    and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
    the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
    the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands,
    and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart,
    “Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
    will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
    He will come and save you.”
_{Isaiah 35:1-4 ESV}

Perhaps necessity has driven you here
to the barren, dry place
where Living Water is
the only liquid
to quench your soul’s thirst
and your ravenous hunger
screams to taste the Bread of Life.

Perhaps something unexpected
has you asking, “How long, oh Lord?”
will I tremble in anguish
or awaken to a tear-soaked pillow
my only desire is for you
the Rescuer
to save me from this nightmare.

Perhaps you’ve chosen this course
to wander free of worldly distraction
with eyes wide open
and ears to hear
the answer to your prayer
search me, know me, try me
lead me in the way of everlasting.

Oh wilderness wanderer
no matter how you’ve arrived
be still
and know
that God is God
exalt him among the nations
exalt him throughout the earth.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
    and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
    and streams in the desert;
 the burning sand shall become a pool,
    and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,
    the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

And a highway shall be there,
    and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
    It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
    even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
    nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
    but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
    and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
    they shall obtain gladness and joy,
    and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
_{Isaiah 35:5-10 ESV}

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Dear Ones,

I found great encouragement this morning in the words of my devotional. Perhaps you will be encouraged as well.

May you experience God’s presence right where you are, and be blessed in knowing unconditional, unfathomable, everlasting Love. Amen.