Dry Spells.. con't

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange things were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the suffering of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 12-13).

Hey Gang:  I remember hearing Cliff Barrows talk of the dry spells that followed the Billy Graham Crusades.  He said, “From the high of being in the midst of thousands of people praising God and leading a thousand voice choir to going home and having to take out the garbage, was a very depressing experience.”   

He also said that it took days, weeks and even on several occasions months, before he and the other members of the team to began to work their way out of the doldrums.  I had a hard time visualizing Billy Graham dealing with dry spells.

I have discovered, in reading materials from some of the spirituals gurus of my day, that they, too, have gone through periods when it seemed they had lost connection with Abba Father.  Even to the point, where some confessed, that dry spells were not something that one would consider “rare or unusual”.  I also learned that dry spells were looked upon by many as plateaus where God was preparing them for a new and exciting growth period in their lives.

So, I began to look at godly men and women throughout the Bible and learned that ‘dry spells were as much a part of their ministry as the mountaintop experiences.  I found that it was, and is, a common experience particularly for those who walk closely with the Lord.  The closer you walk with the Lord, the more Satan tries to tamper with your life.

Consider Elijah:   This bold prophet led an amazing life of faith.  In a single day, God manifested his power in Elijah in incredible ways.  At Mount Carmel, the prophet called down fire from heaven that consumed his sacrifice along with twelve barrels of water.  Elijah then wiped out 400 priests of Baal.  As the people beheld this amazing scene, they fell down on their faces in worship of Jehovah God.

We also see Elijah doing other incredible works.  He prayed down rain to end a drought, and he outran King Ahab’ chariot over many miles.  Elijah was experiencing supernatural strength, the very power of the Holy Spirit.  He was bursting with zeal and faith, walking on an elevated spiritual plane.

So, what followed for Elijah?   In the very hour of his blessing and revelation, this mighty prophet plunged deep into despair.  Why?  Ahab’s wife, Queen Jezebel, had threatened to kill him.  Suddenly, in a day’s time.  Elijah descended from glorious victory to utter despair.  A dryness overcame him, and his spirit got so low he wanted to die. 

 Elijah ended up running from God in fear.  He couldn’t shake his despair, so he hid out in a cave, crying, “Lord, I h….ave failed in my mission.  What purpose is there is my life?”  He experienced a dry spell.

Consider David.  God told David, “I am going to establish your kingdom as everlasting”. “Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before them” (2 Samuel 7:16).  Why?  Because David was a man after God’s own heart.  But we find David also experienced “Dry Spells” in his life.

David’s message to us today would be, “Beloved, do not panic! And don’t beat yourself up, this too shall pass”.

SOOO, dear ones, ‘Dry Spells’ are difficult times and we fall into the doldrums… BUT, look up, GOD want to use them for our growth.

Blessings,

Gramps