Blooming in the Desert / 沙漠之花

[Dexu Xia]

Blooming in the Desert

They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Isaiah 35:2

The Mojave Desert includes the expected sand dunes, dry canyons, mesas, and mountains of most deserts. But American biologist Edmund Jaeger observed that every few years an abundance of rain results in “such a wealth of blossoms that almost every foot of sand or gravelly soil is hidden beneath a blanket of flowers.” The Mojave wildflower show isn’t a yearly phenomenon, though. Researchers confirm the dry earth needs to be soaked by storms and warmed by the sun, at just the right times, before blooms will cover the desert with vibrant colors.

This image of God bringing forth life despite the arid terrain reminds me of the prophet Isaiah. He shared an encouraging vison of hope after delivering God’s message of judgment on all nations (Isaiah 35). Describing a future time when God will make all things right, the prophet said, “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom” (v. 1). He declared God’s rescued people will enter His kingdom “with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (v. 10).

With our eternal future secured by God’s promises, we can trust Him through life’s seasons of drought and drenching storms. Deeply rooted in His love, we can grow, blooming into His likeness until, at just the right time, Jesus returns and sets all things right.

Reflect & Pray

What storms of life have you been facing? How is God showing you His presence? Look! He’s there.

Loving Father, thank You for assuring us You’re with us and working to grow us through every stormy moment of our lives.

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.

沙漠之花

人必看见耶和华的荣耀，我们上帝的华美。-以赛亚书35章2节

美国莫哈韦沙漠和大多数沙漠一样，有沙丘、干涸的峡谷、岩石台地和山脉。但美国有位生物学家观察到，这里每隔几年就会有充沛的雨水，造成群花绽放的景象，几乎整片沙漠都被一丛丛的花朵覆盖。但这场野花秀并非每年都上演，研究发现，干燥的土壤需要被暴雨浸润，再经过日晒升温之后，才能在适当的时刻，绽放色彩缤纷的花朵覆盖沙漠。

即使是不毛之地，上帝也能带出生命的气息，这让我想起以赛亚的话。以赛亚在传达上帝将对列国进行审判的信息后，又描述了一个充满盼望的景象以激励百姓（以赛亚书35章）。他说，有一天上帝将修正一切，“旷野和干旱之地必然欢喜，沙漠也必快乐，又像玫瑰开花”（1节）。以赛亚也宣称蒙上帝拯救的人，都要进入上帝的国度，将以“歌唱来到锡安。永乐必归到他们的头上，他们必得着欢喜快乐，忧愁叹息尽都逃避”（10节）。

上帝应许我们，必能得着永恒的生命。人生中的干旱和暴雨，都能藉由信靠祂而安然度过。当我们深深扎根于上帝的爱中，便可成长、绽放，而且越来越像祂。到了上帝所定的时候，耶稣再临时，祂自会导正一切。

慈爱的天父，谢谢祢已应许永远与我们同在。
感谢祢，藉由每一场风暴，
在我们的生命中动工，帮助我们成长。

你曾面对什么样的风暴？上帝如何显明祂的同在？看哪，祂正在你身旁！