Parched Lands

"God doth the solitary set

in fam'lies: and from bands

The chain'd doth free; but rebels do

inhabit parched lands." 

Psalm 68:6

I've always loved the first part of this verse because it was an encouragement to me when I was on my own, and later I saw it come true when I married. Then a few years ago, at a fellowship gathering in Sc, we sang it and the latter part sank me into a deep depression because John and I were definitely living in a parched land spiritually. Different sins added and multiplied, choices, actions... resulted in us living in a situation where we were not part of the body of Christ, but ended depending on the internet and a long distance session who didn't have time or man power for us. Like back in 2009, I found myself starving. Looking back, I truly believe that the Lord wanted us discontent during that time so we wouldn't settle and stay where we were. Sadly it took another ten months of difficulty, and I assume the Lord doing some growing and humbling, but He brought us out of that place, and into His church in January of '16.

"He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me."

Psalm 18:19

He was good and I am thankful. More thankful than I can put into words in a blog post! So my prayer today is that the Lord will give those who think sermonaudio, a live stream, or family reading the Bible together in their living room can be a permanent substitute for meeting with God's people, a realization that they are in a parched place, and make them discontent. And I pray that the Lord continues to make us spiritually hungry, and to continue to provide for us what we need. On of my greatest fears is going back to "parched lands."

       "One thing I of the Lord desired,

         and will seek to obtain,

      That all days of my life I may

         within God's house remain;

      That I the beauty of the Lord
                                 behold may and admire,

        

And that I in his holy place

may rev'rently enquire."

Psalm 27:4