A heart surrendered to God will experience the verdant growth of riverside-living, even if the environment around it looks like a desert.
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Scripture
Psalm 107:33-43
33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. 35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. 36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; 37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. 38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. 39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. 42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
Observation
The environment produces the outcome: Rivers produce lush green growth, and deserts produce arid emptiness. This is just how the world works!
Except…things don’t work quite this way with God! With God, the environment doesn’t have to define the outcome. An evil heart in a lush environment will ultimately experience the aridness of life without God’s blessing–but a heart surrendered to God will experience the verdant growth of riverside-living, even if the environment around it looks like a desert.
Application
My environment does not determine my outcome. If my heart is not right with God, then the most abundant resources and opportunities will eventually turn out to be dry and empty. If my heart is submitted to God, then I don’t need to fear walking in the desert–because He is the source of all life, and He sustains me.
This week, I choose to walk in the peace of God, fully surrendered to Him. I choose not to trust the temporary world around me, but rather to trust the unending supply of my heavenly father.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder! You are my source and my supply, and I choose to walk with confidence in you regardless of where the path leads. Whether the season is vibrant and growing, or dry and dusty–I place my hope in you, and I know that you will never let me down.
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