Isaiah 44:3 — Today’s Verse for Friday, November 10, 2023

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

— Isaiah 44:3

Growing up in West Texas in part of my early years, I certainly know what “thirsty land” truly is. The black dirt shrinks, leaving deep fissures in the ground. All the grass turns yellow, then brown, and then dies. A wisp of breeze stirs swirls of dust over the barren land. When the downpour finally comes, the “thirsty land” swallows voluminous amounts of water as the rain runs off the wet surfaces and finds its way into the deep cracks of the drought. The ground swells, the grass returns to life, and the landscape is replenished. In a barren spiritual wasteland, God’s Holy Spirit pours out his blessing, brings times of refreshment, and replenishes our thirsty hearts. Jesus reminded us of Isaiah’s promise when the Lord said:

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive (John 7:37-39).