“He . . will not be anxious in the year of drought.” Jeremiah 17:8 NKJV
“The reality of the moment often flavors your assumption of the future.”
My thoughts today are about “drought.”
It has been a year, and more, of economic drought – having too little of too much that’s needed, individually, nationally, and globally. There may be times when it seems that if it weren’t for bad news you would have no news at all. In exactly those kinds of times, the Bible talks about being a person who “will not be anxious in the year of drought.” Drought is a circumstance and time when nothing much of value grows. It is a season of scarcity and fearful desperation. The reality of the moment often flavors your assumption of the future.
Just days ago, America’s unemployment numbers again took a turn in the wrong direction. Residential and commercial foreclosure numbers continue to climb, reducing surrounding property values, eroding families’ financial equity, and shattering hopes and dreams. While government spending spirals out of control, the federal budget deficit and mounting government debt grow exponentially, people day by day feeling less sure of their future. Threats from Iran, Afghanistan, and Korea attract global attention while heightening concerns for personal safety. What are we going to do? How will this turn out? Is there a new normal for daily lives?
All of that, on such a large scale, is hard to wrap your head around. But you understand it well enough when it is on the smaller, more personal level of your own struggle. Has this been a season of drought for you? A drought is a natural occurrence. You didn’t cause it; you can’t change it. But you can learn how to survive in it.
The Bible declares, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord . . for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but his leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV. There are some things you can’t do; there are other things you can do.
(1)In spite of the drought, God remains your unfailing source, “trust in the Lord.” (2)Stay rooted in the Word where you draw strength, “planted by the waters. . roots by the river.” (3)Do not fear adversity when others do, “will not fear when heat comes.” (4)Determine to grow when nothing else will, “his leaf will be green.” (5)A drought is not forever; don’t worry meanwhile, “will not be anxious in the year of drought.” (6)You can thrive in the least likely times, “nor will cease yielding fruit.”
This is the winning attitude that gets you through the time of drought: “Though the fig trees may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive tree shall fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength . .” Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV. No matter what it seems right now, God will provide, and the drought will pass.
My prayer for you today is that you will prosper as your soul prospers.