Streams in Barren places - and Financial Famines

I've been contemplating the serious financial crisis that not just America is currently in but the entire world. Seems like the times are getting more and more foreboding. Certainly, the financial institutions that have for long time made everyone feel secure and prosperous are in serious dilemma. How many people have taken hard hits in the stock market? How many are seriously concerned about their retirement nest egg? How many are hard hit when it comes to credit and the housing market? I dare say we all are. What kind of fear will it produce in the world's economy system and how will those tremblings affect us.

Certainly these seem like perilous times, But where are we to focus our eyes? How can we feel safe? Certainly the answer is God, but does that mean we won't feel any pain or discomfort? No - we could very well feel much of the discomfort, but we don't have to be overcome by fear, we can overcome with trust that 'The Lord Knows and Sees'.

Much like when Hagar the servant of Abraham and Sarah, ran away - she found herself at a well of water within the wilderness and the angel of the Lord met her there and comforted her. Also when she was cast away and again the Lord provided a well of life giving water in the wilderness for her and her son. God provided for her when all else failed, and she wasn't even the one to whom the promises of God were spoken.

There are wells in the desert, barren and desolate places. When we find that the world has failed us in all respects, there is a place we can find the provision of God. The wilderness has springs, Oasis', the wilderness is where John the Baptist thrived. The Children of Israel had water and bread, as well as protection from scorching heat at day and freezing cold by night; even their shoes never wore out! We too can find the provision of the Lord, His care and concern for us in troubled times.

It may not be the comfort we've been used to, but if we follow Him and seek Him in dried up lands, even there we can find wells of living water and perhaps even be fed both bread and meat, like Elijah the prophet, by the ravens.

Gen 6:7-14, 21:9-13, 1 Kings 17:2-6


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