From Desert to Garden

For the Lord will comfort Zion,
He will comfort all her waste places;
He will make her wilderness like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the Lord;
Joy and gladness will be found in it,
Thanksgiving and the voice of melody

(Isaiah 51:3)

If you could live anywhere in the world, you would probably say that you’d like to live somewhere cool or mild, possibly near a beautiful river or coastal area, somewhere green and lush, with beautiful trees or maybe even tall mountains hanging over you from afar.  There are not many who would choose to live in a desert.  Deserts are dry and hot.  Did I mention hot?  Not many people live in the desert areas for that exact reason.  In Isaiah 51, the prophet  speaks a word concerning Jerusalem (Zion), the beloved of God. The word is this- The Lord will comfort Zion and all her waste places (places that have been destroyed). He promises to make her wilderness just like the beautiful garden of Eden. He promises to make her desert like a garden where joy and gladness will be found.  Thanksgiving and melody will also be found there.  What a powerful promise!

    God is not only the comforter of Zion, but He is also your comforter.  God has a way of making something that is not so beautiful such as a bad experience, a sickness, a state of depression-whatever your personal desert might be- and transforming it into something beautiful.  Only God can do this.  Has it been a while since you’ve felt joy and gladness?  How long has it been since you’ve had a fresh melody of praise and thanksgiving in your heart?  Have you allowed trials to take all your spiritual joy away from you?  If so, won’t you allow God to restore what has been lost?   Let him take that desert of pain, hurt, regret, confusion, disappointment, sickness, depression, and frustration and transform your spirit into a garden that releases the loveliest fragrance—Him!   Will you allow Him to do this in you today?  My prayer is that you will have the needed strength to reach out to Him and allow Him to transform you.  Remember, God’s not done with you yet.