Are you well watered?

They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (verses 12,13)

Read Jeremiah 31:10-14

Living in the Riverland in South Australia where it is semi-arid, means to live in a desert. The saving grace is that the Murray River flows through it, and with it flows life to plants, animals, people and crops. Three to five metres away from the edge of the river the desert begins and the lush green edge turns to brown.

In our reading God is reaching out to Israel (again). Promising them, that they will be fruitful or ‘well-watered’. That he would take away their sorrow, turn their mourning into gladness and give them comfort and joy. This promise is for you too friend! Life without God gets dry, lonely and leads away from life. God filled you with his presence at your baptism. As you came through those waters you received life eternal. Hold on to that promise, friend, and remember you are ‘well-watered’ when you live with God.

What part of your life is a desert?

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the life-giving stream of your presence that you have placed within me. Help me to live with an attitude of joy for all you have done for me. Amen.

by Dean Mills, in ‘Time Out with the Shepherd’  (ACR, Australian Church Resources, 2017)

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