Reflecting back over the past year, I began seeking the Lord. Twenty twenty three was certainly a hard year when I look back with my natural eyes. As I prepared for worship for our New Year’s Eve service, the Lord kept bringing back to my spirit the chorus “even in the desert waste, He is still my resting place.” (Link to purchase song by Rock City Worship – Praise The Lord.)
No matter what is happening around us, no matter how hard trials were, He is bringing springs of living water into the dry desert land in our lives and is causing the land to flourish. I know this with everything in me. I’ve seen it. It is only by His grace and mercy that He fills those dry spaces with living water and causes them to flourish so that we are able to carry on another day.
In Isaiah 43:18-20 it says, “I’m going to do a new thing – nothing you’ve ever seen before! You think crossing the Red Sea was a big deal? Just you wait until you see what I am going to do. A new thing is coming. Where there was desert land, waste land, dry soil, I am going to cause rivers — not a river — but RIVERS — plural, in that land so that you are refreshed. Oh the animals of the land will thank Me, but you will know that I have done this thing! I am bringing rivers into your dry place!” [Paraphrased]
I am standing on this word in 2024. Rivers! Rivers! Rivers are coming to dry desert place. I’m ready Lord! I. Am. Ready! ~Kristy
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As always, I prepare to the best of my ability based upon whatever scripture the Lord laid upon my heart, but then I get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit lead as the service begins. His ways are higher then my ways, and His ways are always yes and amen. We are CCLI – SongSelect licensed. Honor the writer’s and artists of the songsby purchasing their music on Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
The Savior of Israel
43 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia[a] and Seba in your place.
4 Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
6 I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
7 Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”
8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 Gather the nations together!
Assemble the peoples of the world!
Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?
Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?
Where are the witnesses of such predictions?
Who can verify that they spoke the truth?
10 “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be.
11 I, yes I, am the Lord,
and there is no other Savior.
12 First I predicted your rescue,
then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
No foreign god has ever done this.
You are witnesses that I am the only God,”
says the Lord.
13 “From eternity to eternity I am God.
No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
No one can undo what I have done.”
The Lord’s Promise of Victory
14 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon,
forcing the Babylonians[b] to flee in those ships they are so proud of.
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator and King.
16 I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters,
making a dry path through the sea.
17 I called forth the mighty army of Egypt
with all its chariots and horses.
I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,
their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.
18 “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
20 The wild animals in the fields will thank me,
the jackals and owls, too,
for giving them water in the desert.
Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland
so my chosen people can be refreshed.
Revelation Worship Now 