“The beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches,
Because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,
To give drink to My people, My chosen.” (Isaiah 43:20 NKJV)
Jackals and ostriches are creatures of the desert, often seen in places where life is harsh and resources are scarce. By mentioning them, Isaiah highlights the where God’s people find themselves. Too often we are in the wilderness and the desert of life and spirits crack from the dry and loneliness.
Yet, in these harsh conditions, God promises to provide water. Even the jackals and ostriches honor God because of His provision. God’s care extends to all of creation, transforming even the most barren places into sources of life. It emphasizes God’s power to bring life and renewal where it seems impossible.
Like jackals and ostriches, we live in a world that can feel dry and desolate. But God promises to provide for us, to bring streams of living water into our lives, turning our spiritual wilderness into a place of renewal and growth.
No matter how desolate our situation may seem, God is there to provide for us. His living water, through His Word and sacraments, refreshes and sustains us. We are called to trust in His provision and see His work even in the most unlikely places.
Jesus speaks of Himself as the living water in John 4:14, saying, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Here, Jesus fulfills the promise of Isaiah 43:20. He is the source of life-giving water that quenches our spiritual thirst and gives us eternal life.
This passage reminds us that no matter how desolate our situation may seem, God is there to provide for us. His living water, through His Word and sacraments, refreshes and sustains us. We are called to trust in His provision and to see His work even in the most unlikely places.
As people who receive this living water, we do not need to search for other sources to satisfy our thirst. God’s Word and His sacraments are the ways He nourishes and sustains us.
With our spiritual thirst satisfied, we are free to serve our neighbors. We are no longer focused on our own needs but can look outward to care for others. Just as God provides water in the wilderness, we can share the living water of God’s Word with those around us, bringing hope and refreshment to those in need.