1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. 3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, ”Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. (Isaiah 35:1-7 NIV)
When there was a time of great prosperity and there were no struggles it is easy to get caught up with everything and not have time for the one who provides that prosperity. Now the struggles are great and the prosperity has dried up. Cities are being taken over by state emergency managers because they are bankrupt. Programs and staffing is being cut and crime is increasing. When all we have is man’s foresight and understanding everything will seem hopeless. That’s when people take things in their own hands and make the mess bigger.
God will use their self-endeavor to frustrate the people and communities who won’t give Him time or honor. He uses hard times as a wakeup call for those who have just forgotten to include Him in their lives. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)
When you are in the time of dryness; when “famine” is all around you just press into God’s care, protection and Love. He will forgive the self-will and self-endeavor, and He will heal the damage caused by those choices that left Him out. Then the areas affected by “famine” start showing the signs of restoration by God’s hand. New growth starts springing up in unexpected or even impossible ways. Not only in your circumstances but as God is glorified others see Him working in your life and turn to Him also. Then what God is doing for you begins to spread to them also. Even the darker areas of our surroundings start being affected where there is self-centered aggression; they begin to be drawn to change. When you are fully under His umbrella of “redemption” you are at rest, the joy and peace you experience just boggles the minds of those who are going it on their own. They want the joy and peace you have.
When Jesus is lifted up he will draw all men unto himself, both on the cross and in every area of your life, so that He is glorified not us.