Isaiah 32

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Scripture

Isaiah 32:1-2

¹See, a king will reign in righteousness
and rulers will rule with justice.
² Each one will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

Observation - What does it say?

Isaiah prophesies of a good king, ultimately referring to the coming Christ, and others in places of leadership who will bring about incredible transformation in the lives of the people. Because they will seek to do what is right before God and to bring justice, they will be like streams of water in the desert causing life to come to people and things to be set right.

Understanding - What does it mean?

Although this is about a good king and just rulers, the principle carries over to the church today. The invitation to step up and lead and to make a difference is extended to everyone who chooses to follow Jesus. As a matter of fact, that desire to be used by God to change the world gets written into the spiritual DNA of each person who chooses to follow him. Those who choose to say yes to that invitation, those who choose to lay their lives down to serve others, those who seek to love others with the love of Christ, those who seek to do right before God and others, will be like streams of water in the desert that bring life and refreshing to people wherever they go.

Desert streams. It’s the identity of every Christian, but something God has especially emphasized with our local church family. We are called to bring life and refreshing to the spiritually dry, desert places.

Wherever we ‘flow’ throughout the week – work, home, running errands, etc – we are called to bring life and refreshing to everyone we come into contact with. Rather than complaining that the desert is dry, that the culture is ungodly and gossiping about people's imperfections, we need to remember that is the very reason God has placed us in those situations and in those people's lives! We are there to bring the opposite spirit; to usher in the presence of God and to bring change!

Life Application

What are the driest places God has placed you? What situations or relationships are the most trying, frustrating or draining?

What does it look like for you to bring life and refreshing there?

God, thank you for placing us each around people that need refreshing and to taste of your goodness and love. Help us to live on purpose today, to recognize the dry situations you’ve placed us in and what it looks like for us to bring your refreshing and life there. Amen.