The following is an excerpt from our daily devotional series Fasting and the Heart of God.

“… and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” (Isaiah 58:11)

View Comments (0)

This verse is the centerpiece of the chapter. Here are multiple promises of God, as He offers the results of obedience to verses 9 and 10. He will satisfy the soul in drought, strengthen the bones, and offer a fruitful life, with constant watering, like an unending spring. Water represents life, and strong bones represent strength. I want a life with all those blessings, don’t you? God is not simply promising a rain shower now and then. No, He says He will satisfy your soul in drought and make your life a [continuing] watered garden and a spring of water. A spring is constantly flowing – water to drink and to share!

Help support IFA monthly by becoming an MMP.

When you think about drought areas, you picture a parched earth, dead and dying plants, and weak animals searching for water—like someone in the middle of the desert, hoping for water just over the next dune. Whatever else you picture, it isn’t life and strength. Yet life and strength are what the Lord promises when you align yourself with His will. The best part is that this is a natural result of spiritual alignment. You don’t strive to attain it, it just happens. When circumstances say you won’t make it, you find inner strength, life, and joy. You can’t explain it, it is just there. It is the Lord. You are following your Shepherd. “When He brings out His sheep, He goes before them…” (John 10:4).

There are times I find myself in a drought and feel as though I have no strength left. I am barely holding on, and what small hope I have is that something just over that sand dune might change my circumstances and give me some life and strength. Perhaps you have been there or are there right now. At times like that I have learned it is often a signal that I have strayed from the Lord or not aligned myself with His will. The Lord is life, He is peace, He is strength, He is hope, He is not worried, He is in control, He knows all things, and He cares for you with infinite love. When we are aligned with the Lord, His life and strength flow through us as a natural result of being close to Him and doing His will. How would you rate your level of strength and life right now?  (By David Swanson)

In your time seeking God today:

• On a scale of 1-10, rate how high you think your level of inner strength and life is. Is it lower than you think it should be or would like it to be?  If so what do you think spiritually could be contributing to it? Remember, for all of us, it is the truth that sets us free.
• Would you say you live your life more for yourself or for the Lord?  What do you do when you first wake up?  Do you start going about your day doing your own things or do you devote your life to the Lord each day? Ask the Lord for a deeper God-consciousness.
• Reread Isaiah 58:9-10 and search your heart to see if you have been living a life dedicated to serving God and loving other people. Ask God to help you increase your love for others.

Related Scripture:

• John 4:5-26; John 7:37-39
• John 10:2-5; John 15:5
• Philippians 4:4-7

Fasting and the Heart of God Full PDF Version

Did you like this article? If so, share it!

(Photo Credit: Katsia Jazwinska on Unsplash)