Rest for the Weary

 

Then they came to Elim,

where there were

   twelve springs of water

  and seventy palm trees,

and they encamped there

          by the water.

             Exodus 15. 27

(Right in the midst

     of impossible journeys,

when we are not just

   following God,

   but walking with Him,

God brings us to an oasis.

When we are thirsty for Him

   and weary in our wanderings,

when we need it the most

or least expect it,

God provides a rest area,

  an off-ramp in the desert.

When we trust Him,

we see not a mirage,

     but a place of provision,

resupply, strengthening,

a patch of ground

    to pitch our tent,

and snacks along the way.

God does not

     give us a resort,

lest we move in and stay,

but a time of refreshing

   in many unforeseen ways.

And in our busy-ness,

sometimes He has to

  make us lie down

to get our needed rest.

He knows what we need.

He knows what we

     are going to need.)

O LORD,

Please provide for us

     an Elim,

a time of encouragement

   in these barren deserts.

And help us to know that

   You give us those words too

   to sustain and uplift others.

We have no idea 

  the bleak wilderness

     someone is crawling through.

You have strategically placed us

    in the middle of nowhere

      to be someone's Elim

  in what they are

            struggling with.

Fulfill Your purposes

and fill us with Your strength,

   even in the dry and dusty.

Help us to know that

  You promise rest for the weary.

"Come to Me, all who labor

and are heavy laden,

    and I will give you rest."

Wherever we are.