The desert is blooming.

Here in California, even the most arid of places are awash with color. Purple carpets of tiny flowers cover the desert floor, while yellow blossoms lift their faces to the sun. Bright pinks, vivid whites, and brilliant orange join the mix to make it one spectacular view.  It will be a short, but very sweet season in this otherwise dry and dusty place due to rains we have had over the winter months this year. Water has made all the difference.

Let the desert and dry region be happy; let the wilderness rejoice and bloom like a lily!
Let it richly bloom; let it rejoice and shout with delight!
Isaiah 35:1-2 NET

In this portion in the Old Testiment, God speaks of a different kind of super bloom. Isaiah sings a beautiful song of a ransomed people. (See full chapter here.) Not only will the desert land bloom, but so will the people. They will be restored in so many ways when the Water comes to flow in the land. Weak arms and knees will be strengthened, blind eyes healed, hearing restored, and voices unleashed will all be part of God’s presence with man.

Although Isaiah’s audience of the day would not know the final outcome of this song, Jesus would show up many generations down the road to bring a flow of Water that would make all the difference. There would indeed be many wonders and miracles upon His arrival. He would be known to offer a Water that would always satisfy and never leave anyone thirsty. His Water would not only refresh, but also sustain men living in the arid conditions of a desolate world.

This is where that beautiful picture of the desert bloom comes into my mind’s eye. My vision is not of flowers, but rather people standing strong in the face of adversity, their faces lifted to the Son who made it all possible.

In verse four of Isaiah 35 it says,

Tell those who panic, “Be strong! Do not fear! Look, your God comes to avenge! With divine retribution he comes to deliver you.

I see this ‘desert bloom’ Jesus brings as that divine retribution on our enemy. We will be found flourishing and growing despite our environment, all due to the Living Water Christ brings to our lives.

There is a story of Living Water in the New Testament as well. It is found in John 4. You can read it here. Jesus encounters a woman at a well in the land of Samaria. Water was what she was after when she ventured out that day, but what she would receive would change her life.

Jesus tells her,

Everyone who drinks of the water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water I give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.  John 4:13-14 ESV

The story goes on to say that through this encounter not just the woman believed, but many people in town also put their trust in Jesus. They even asked Him to stay on with them so they could hear more. Now that is one Super Bloom. Living Water poured out, causing a whole community to flourish. And here we stand taking in the view. Amazing!

I want to encourage you to not let another minute pass. Take in the Living Water. Believe in Jesus too. Spend some time getting to know Him. The result will be a beautiful bloom in your life that is sure to draw the attention of others who will be in awe of what God has done.

Whoever believes in me [Jesus], as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ . . .They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.

John 7:38 ESV Isaiah 35:2 ESV