A Spiritual Dry Spell
Friend, come on up here an’ git yourself settled into this here ol’ front porch chair that sits sturdier than a mama cow guardin her newborn, baby calf ‘cause I done cooked up a whole fresh batch of sorghum molasses cookies an’ you can join me with a glass o’ milk ‘cause we’re ‘bout to be takin’ us a lil’ ol’ stroll through a truth that lands deeper than a dryin’ up well in the August heat. David once said in Psalm 32:4 that God’s hand felt heavy on him and his strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. An’ if you’ve ever watched a pond shrink down to a muddy memory in July, you know exactly what he was talkin’ ‘bout. Unconfessed sin will dry a soul out quicker than a leaf on a tin roof in July.
David tried to keep his sin tucked plumb away like a lil’ ol’ squirrel hidin’ nuts under the wrong tree, but it sho’-nuff wore him out. His joy shriveled up. His peace cracked to pieces. His heart felt like a drought map. And Hebrews 12:4-6 reminds us that when God’s hand feels heavy, it’s not punishment for punishment’s sake. It’s the loving correction of a Father who refuses to let His children wander off like ol’ goats squeezin through a broken fence. “For whom the Lord loves He chastens.” That’s God sayin, “Friend, I love you too much to let you stay stuck.”
But the moment David finally opened his mouth and confessed, Psalm 32:5 says God forgave him. Just like that. No delay. No lecture. No spiritual time out. Just mercy poured out like rain on a thirsty pasture. And that there same promise is ours for the keepin’. First John 1:9 tells us that “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That there means the way to cover sin is to plumb uncover it. Confession ain’t humiliation. It’s pure liberation.
Friend, sin kept in the dark will drain you right down to the bone, but sin dragged into the light will git to losin’ its power faster than a lil’ ol’ raccoon scampers when the porch light goes to flippin’ on. God ain’t tryin to shame you. He’s tryin real hard to free you. If your soul gits to feelin’ cracked and thirsty, confession is the great rainstorm you’ve been waitin for.
Lord, thank You for lovin’ me enough to correct me when I wander. Help me confess quickly and honestly. Wash me clean, restore my joy, and keep my heart soft toward You. Let Your grace soak into every dry place in my soul. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
So, land sakes, an’ hand me one more o’ them there cookies, friend! As you git to steppin’ back into your day, keep walkin’ with the Lord who steadies you better than boots with brand new soles. Be rememberin’ that sin will sneak up on you like a lil’ ol’ sly fox sneakin’ into the henhouse, but confession will be chasin’ sin off faster than a rooster protectin’ his flock. You gotta’ be keepin’ your heart real open, your steps real close to the Shepherd, and your soul real ready for the rain shower of His tender mercy, so you can be gittin’ right past one o’ them there spiritual dry spells. And don’t be forgettin’ that the same God who’s gonna’ be disciplinin’ you is the very same God who’s gonna’ be restorin’ you with more of His good grace than an ol’ overflowin’ river has water.
With joy,
Gwen
