Digging Your Ditches

"This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord.... The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was-water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water. 2 Kings 3:16-18. 20

This is a fascinating story in 2nd Kings of God's miraculous provision of water for the Israelite armies. What God was promising seemed impossible but nothing is too difficult for him. He had commanded the armies to dig ditches and He would fill them. In faith they dug.
A.B. Simpson says, "The greatest victory of faith is to stand at the shore of the impassable Red Sea and to hear the Master say, "Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today." (Exodus 14:13) As we step out in faith, without any sign or sound, taking our first steps into the water, we will see the water divide. Continuing to march ahead, we will see a pathway open through the very midst of the sea. It is the role of faith not to question but to simply obey. Dig the ditches and God will fill them. But He will do this in the most unexpected places and in the most unexpected ways. May we expect Him to work although we see no wind or rain."

Recently God has been impressing upon my heart that believing is seeing rather than seeing is believing. 2nd Corinthians 5:7 commands us to live by faith, not by sight. I am going to continue to believe that God is healing me even if I don't have medical proof yet. I am digging my ditches each day with good nutrition, supplements, rest, prayer, exercise and ridding my life of stress. I know my healing is coming. The ditches are being filled with good health every day. On a daily basis I am trying to be obedient to what He is calling me to do.

What about you? Are you listening to His voice to hear what He wants to speak to you? If He tells you the pace you are living is too hectic are you slowing down? If He whispers in your ear that you are exhausted, are you disciplining yourself to get to bed earlier? If your quiet times are hurried and sporadic, are you carving out time each day to be still and wait in His presence? All God wants from our lives is surrender and obedience.

I know God could miraculously heal me. I would much prefer that over the disciplined life He is calling me to. And yet I know this path will be sweeter and more fruitful in the long run. Digging ditches is hard work. Obedience always is and yet that's the place where Jesus meets us and changes us into His image. Step out in faith and dig. The water is coming!