Which other Bible stories illustrate God's ability to bring life to desolation? Psalm 107:35—God Turns Deserts into Springs “He turns a desert into pools of water, and a dry land into flowing springs.” From Wasteland to Wonder: Bible Narratives That Echo the Psalm • Creation out of Chaos (Genesis 1:1-3) – “The earth was formless and void… And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” – The ultimate example: total emptiness instantly filled with order, beauty, and life. • A Barren Womb Becomes a Nation (Genesis 18:10-14; 21:1-3) – Sarah’s decades-long barrenness ends when the Lord promises, “At the appointed time I will return to you… and Sarah will have a son.” – Isaac’s birth proves God can bring life where life seems impossible. • Water for Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:14-19) – Alone in the wilderness, Hagar weeps as her water runs out. – “Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.” Hope springs up in the exact place of despair. • Streams from the Rock (Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-11) – Two separate occasions: the people thirst, Moses strikes the rock, and “water gushed out in abundance.” – Desolate terrain turns into an overflowing spring, sustaining an entire nation. • Jericho’s Poisoned Spring Healed (2 Kings 2:19-22) – The city’s only water source is bitter; Elisha throws salt in and proclaims, “Thus says the LORD: ‘I have healed this water.’” – Immediately, life replaces death, and the land becomes fruitful. • The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) – A whole field of skeletons receives flesh, breath, and vitality. – God explains, “I will open your graves and bring you up… Then you will know that I am the LORD.” A vivid picture of national and spiritual revival. • Rivers in the Wilderness (Isaiah 43:19-21) – “I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” – A future promise rooted in God’s past track record—He delights in planting gardens where sand once blew. • Feeding the Five Thousand (Mark 6:34-44; John 6:1-13) – A remote hillside, one boy’s lunch, and a multitude. Jesus blesses the loaves and fish until “they all ate and were satisfied.” – Scarcity flips to surplus—twelve baskets left over. • Lazarus Raised (John 11:38-44) – Four days in the tomb, the smell of death already present. – Jesus cries, “Lazarus, come out!” and life overrides decay. • The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-7; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22) – A sealed, guarded grave becomes the doorway to everlasting life. – “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Why These Stories Matter Today • Each scene underscores the same unchanging truth Psalm 107:35 celebrates: God is never limited by barrenness, dryness, or death. • He delights in reversing hopeless situations so His people—and the watching world—will “give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.” (Psalm 107:31) |
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