July 10 Prayer (Isaiah 58:11 Commentary)

Have you seen a dry riverbed before? I certainly have. 

Growing up in Zimbabwe, there were some years when drought was rife, crops failed and livestock died. I remember when water became extremely scarce, we had to take our own 5 litre bottles of water from home to our boarding school so that we could brush our teeth. Water rationing was severe and only used for the bare essentials.

In times like this, the riverbeds of once fast-flowing rivers had long since dried up. However, even in these dire circumstances, if you dug down deep enough, you would eventually find water.

Today’s scripture comes from a section of prophecy that Isaiah delivered to the Israelite nation that starts off with quite a scathing tone. He says “For day after day they seek me out; they seem to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right…Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends with quarrelling and strife” (Isaiah 58:2 and 58:3-4). 

He goes on to call the Israelite nation to humble themselves and return to true worship and surrender to God. He paints a picture of what this looks like – where the chains of injustice are loosed, bondage and oppression are broken, food is shared with the hungry, the naked are clothed and the poor are provided with shelter.

It is in the context of this true and right expression of their faith, as opposed to their meaningless acts of empty religion, that God promises to satisfy their needs.

I love the image of a well-watered garden in a sun-scorched land that Isaiah uses here. Despite the difficult circumstances, those who trust and follow God as He asks them to will be well-watered by His presence and Spirit. Even in the challenges of life, it is through God’s strength and supply and sustenance that we can grow and flourish – just like a garden.

So, let us also heed the call to return to true worship today. Where we live out our faith in practical ways and allow what we believe to impact the way we live and the choices we make. Where our lives truly begin to reflect the love of Jesus to the world around us. Let us be like the plants who have roots that go deep enough to reach the water that lies beneath the surface of life’s circumstances so that whatever comes our way, we too can be well-watered because we are drinking from the source of all life – Jesus. And He is a spring that never fails!