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. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Isaiah 44:3-4
“This will be a radical new day of restoration, new life, and divine blessing… The people will be empowered by a special pouring down (using the same verb used of rain) of the Spirit of God. This is God’s gift that abundantly fills and transforms everything it touches. The Spirit will give new life and refreshing blessings to a future generation of children like the water gives new life and brings fertility to the earth… The important thing emphasized is not the ethnic or religious background of these people; the central issue is what these people choose to become. The Spirit’s transforming power will make them want to be identified with God and His righteous people.”
Gary V. Smith in Isaiah 40-66: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (NAC; Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2009) 219-220.
So, lately I have been praying for rain, for provision for GTP. I am still praying for that. But God has nudged me to raise my hopes higher. In light of the pandemic, the panic, and the problems that fill the earth, today I am praying for a “special pouring down” of the Spirit. Would you join me?
Such an outpouring is “God’s gift that abundantly fills and transforms everything it touches.” As described in this vision of Isaiah, may it be so today. May the Spirit of God cause righteous people to spring up all over the earth who serve as conduits of blessing, because generosity is a fruit of the Spirit.
The picture fits what I see outside. Even as rain from clouds causes grass to spring up and trees to flourish, the Spirit can enliven God’s people. Father, our land is thirsty. We need a special pouring down of your Spirit to grow as righteous and generous people. Make it so I ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.