Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 17, 2014
‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. Ezekiel 37:4-5
From time to time we all experience spiritually dry seasons. God can feel distant even nonexistent. Prayers go unanswered, the Bible becomes just another book and our world seems out of control. Fellowship with other believers is foreign and our faith is on life support. Sweet sleep is rare and it is a chore to take care of ourselves, much less anyone else. When the walls of faith are crumbling down, how do we rebuild them? How do we spiritually hydrate during dry times?
The Christian life is not without sorrow, sin and sickness. The body can assault our peace with pain. Our mind can play games on us by questioning the reality of God and the validity of our faith. Our emotions can control us with unresolved anger or cause us to obsess in fear and uncertainty. Our will can grow weary in well doing and give in to selfish taking. Indeed we are vulnerable to the enemy’s lies when we lie awake at night. But spiritual dryness is not the end. Ezekiel experienced his nation’s demise, yet God called him to speak life into their dry state.
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants” (Isaiah 44:3).
Therefore, during dry spells allow the Spirit to spell out how much He loves you. Be patient and look for the Lord’s love in the little things: a glass of cool water, a cup of warm coffee, a hot crackling fire, a cloudy moon and a misty morning. Record the kind deeds done around you and thank God. Wait in humility for the Spirit to reveal unseemly traits in your soul. Let His flame of love burn away spiritual soot, so you can burn even brighter for Christ. Spiritual dryness should ready you for redeployment to active duty with God. Grace mops up the dustiness of a dry soul!
Moreover, our body that betrays us in this life will be raised to newness of life in the next life. Death gives way to life. Righteousness replaces sin. Joy overcomes sorrow. Worship and praise mute idolatry. Healing puts pain to death. Weakness submits to strength. Satan is cast into hell forever–his influence extinguished. Lest we forget: spiritual dryness is never in season in eternity. So be hopeful, heaven is real. Pray for the Lover of your soul to water your parched heart with His compassionate presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to breath life into your dry soul.
“The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, during spiritual dry times teach me to not give up, but to give in to You.
Related Readings: Psalm 63:1; Isaiah 50:2; 1 Samuel 2:6; Hebrews 12:3; Revelation 2:3, 20:10
Post/Tweet today: During spiritual dry spells allow the Spirit to spell out how much He loves you. Look for God’s love in the little things. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Rick Warren- Battling Dry Spells: http://tinyurl.com/od6m2wn
Order our new book, The Way of Wisdom: A Journey Towards Spiritual Growth, just out October 1st! Boyd’s one minute book video- http://bit.ly/1nhZ2bt
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I am very surprised to see you have Rick Warren listed as additional reading….his teachings, or at least some, do not line up with God’s word.
This was Bob’s confession this morning before his feet hit the floor …… he headed off to meet with his men’s group and since he arrived early, took time to read about “dry bones.” How tiimely and what a sweet message to us through this devotion for today! You are loved!
When I experience such dry spells, I comfort myself with the knowledge that others have gone through the same thing and come out renewed. I remember what I know whether I feel it or not. I wait, and I hope against hope. Before I knew these things happened to others I thought I was a pariah and not acceptable to God. We all need to share the good times and the bad times, the uplifting Spirit and the dry spells to let others know “you are not alone.”
Dear Sherry~
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to us after reading “Spiritual Dry Seasons”. We hope that you were blessed by this devotional.
I was surprised to read your comments about Rick Warren. Please allow me to respectfully disagree with you. I felt his explanations of possible reasons for “dry seasons” (that was mentioned in the link that accompanied the devotional) were very enlightening.
Please know that so much prayer and contemplation goes into each of the Wisdom Hunter’s devotionals (including, of course the additional resources).
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and look forward to hearing from you again. Blessings to you and yours.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God’. Psalm 31:14
Dear Millie~
Thank you for sharing those encouraging words about the devotional, “Spiritual Dry Seasons”. I am sure that Boyd will appreciate your kindness.
I agree with you, this devotional was especially timely for many of our Wisdom Hunter’s family members (including myself!) It was such a powerful reminder of what we can do when we are in that dry season. “Be patient and look for the Lord’s love in the little things: a glass of cool water, a cup of warm coffee, a crackling fire, etc…”
And then the suggestion “Ask the Holy Spirit to breath life into your dry soul” was such a soothing answer to this period of dryness.
Thank you Millie, for your kind words. We are so thankful that you and Bob are fellow wisdom hunters and look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one other – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
Dear Alice~
Thank you for your wise words. You are so right, sweet sister, we do need to share with others so that we realize we are not alone in the dry seasons. Thank you for your sincere and caring comments. After all, we are all the body of Christ and need to love and care for one another.
“A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter! We look forward to hearing from you again.
Blessings~
Gwynne