Parched

​3-14-21
Today's devotion for this Fourth Sunday in Lent is based on Psalm 107:20, "He sent forth his word and healed them, he rescued them from the grave." 
The psalms are so real to life, for the writers captured human struggles and emotions so well. Today's psalm describes a spiritually parched soul who hungers and thirsts for the Lord after straying from God's path. But as soon as they are ready to turn back to God, there he is. He is like a well-watered garden, like a spring that never stops, filling them up and healing them instantly.
While we might not experience the healing hand of God in a physical sense, although that can also happen to some, everyone who accepts Christ as their Savior will experience the refreshment the Lord brings our weary souls when we are spiritually parched and open ourselves up to God.
I am reminded of one of my favorite verses, which I use at the beginning of Sunday morning worship.  Jesus is talking, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." That invitation is also for you and me.
Dear Lord, thank you for refreshing my soul time and again. I praise and thank you for nourishing me more than the choicest food and healing me more deeply than the most knowledgeable doctor. Amen.