On a study trip to Israel I learned many things! And even after a decade there are some lessons etched upon my soul! Here’s what I learned and being stuck in spiritually dry places from the hot dry holy land!
Have you ever been on a four-bottle walk? No?
Well, it’s quite an experience!
I studied in Israel one hot summer and our teacher took us on many “wee little walks” from the northernmost part of Israel to deep into the southern Negev.
There was nothing “wee” about them. And certainly nothing “little” either!
Our group of eager students would know just how torturous and treacherous a walk would be by the number of large water bottles we were required to carry with us and finish before we returned back to our bus.
You might ask what does a four-bottle walk have to do with being spiritually stuck in a dry place? Well, more than you think!
Our walks were so interesting and educational and we trekked in and around many places I had read about in my bible. Walking on holy ground, so to speak! But they were also unbearably hot and hard and not for the faint of heart! In fact, I would often, after a very hot long totally fascinating and exhausting day, get into the shower fully dressed just so I could peel off my clothes and wash them all in one step!
It did not take me long to figure out just what kind of “wee little walk” was ahead of us by the water bottles we were to carry!
My sister-in-law, Susan, and I also got wise about unusual ways to keep cool.
Our hotel rooms usually had small refrigerators in them and we would freeze wet washcloths and extra water bottles for the day ahead. That meant that we could put the frozen washcloths around our necks or on our heads under our hats to keep us cool for at least a little bit of a walk. We also would put the frozen water bottles down the front of our bra to keep our core cool. Yes, necessity IS the mother of invention!
Despite the oppressive heat, it was a life-changing trip. We were actually learning the most incredible truths as we went to many historical places of the bible, even if we were wearing washcloths on our heads and carrying frozen water bottles in inconspicuous places!
Walking through the holy land’s dry and rocky places in the heat of the summer can teach us a lot about being stuck in a dry spiritual place and how to persevere well through those times and come out victorious!
DRINK LOTS OF WATER
It became very evident that water was and is a very important commodity in Israel, especially in the summer! Taking even a “wee little walk” without water was life-threatening!
WATER= LIFE!
This is a good equation to know in a spiritual sense too.
In those dry times, we need to have a constant supply of Living Water. We need to be connected into the Giver of Life and be bathed by His Living Water.
In other words, we need to stay connected to God and His word. It is the time to press in hard to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to supply us with understanding and comfort and the presence of God.
Staying connected to God and His word is life for our dry souls!
LISTEN TO THE TEACHER
When we were traveling narrow mountain roads and standing on the edges of high precipices to see expansive views of places like the Sea of Galilee or the Valley of Megiddo it was very important to listen and follow our teacher. Getting off the path could be deadly!
One time when we were up in the Golan Heights our teacher warned us not to get off the path because there were still active mine fields all around us. Such a beautiful place, but again, deadly!!!! We all stayed very close to our teacher on that particular outing!
When we are facing dry times in our lives we need to double our efforts to listen to Jesus! Follow Him and stay close to His word. It’s in these dry times that we are not only tested but tempted.
Staying off the path that God has laid out for us in His word can be deadly! It is vital to stay close to Jesus and not stray away.
THINGS ARE EASIER IN NUMBERS
The support of our Israel study group helped all of us at one time or another. I remember one time in particular. We were climbing a very steep path and some strong, young men in the group made a human chain the rest of us used as a railing to keep us from slipping as we climbed up to the next level and the path before us.
In hard times we need to count on others. Life is easier when we have others to support us and pray for us and walk through those dry, dessert times with us. That is one of the biggest reasons we should all be part of a church family and a small group. We were not made to walk alone in this life.
In those dry times your Christian friends and family and church are there support you and help you get safely through them!
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP
Many of our “wee little walks” in Israel took us over very tough terrain.
Even though we were careful where we walked we kept our heads up and took in all the wonders Israel offered! If we just looked at our feet our times walking through craggy dry places we would have missed waterfalls spilling from out of the mountains above and lush green ribbons of ground where a small brook threaded along the dry rocky landscape.
would not have noticed local deer and other wildlife and layers of flint that looked like someone took a big pencil and drew a line across the cliffs. We even saw flowers and plants living in the harshest of conditions and were awed by their contrasting beauty!
We took the time to look around and see God in His creation!
In spiritually dry, craggy times we need to keep our heads up. We need to be watching for God showing Himself to us. We need to look for the miracles He weaves in our lives even in our dry times!
KNOW THAT VICTORY LIES AHEAD
Even though many of our treks in Israel were hard and hot and uncomfortable they ALWAYS ended in the most profound, life-changing ways. I learned so much and my heart was deeply impacted and changed!
I grew in big ways spiritually! Because I spent time in the dry places of Israel I can share this with you today.
Spiritually dry places lead to victory! When we go through them we are almost always elevated to higher understanding, a growth in our maturity and a more intimate relationship with the Lord… IF we persevere and cling to Jesus as we walk the paths of dry places.
Our Christian life was never guaranteed to be an easy one. In fact, Jesus tells us just the opposite. But, He also tells us that He will be with us and never leave us.
It’s important to remember that we will take spiritual “wee little walks” in dry places in our time on this earth. Because it’s a four-bottle life!
This is a scripture that might help you this week…
THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME TRUST IN YOU, FOR YOU, LORD, HAVE NEVER FORSAKEN THOSE WHO SEEK YOU. Psalm 9:10
As you very well say in this profound, but very down to earth, piece of writing, “We need to be watching for God showing Himself to us”, which sounds a bit crazy, mainly because we are surrounded by hard times, family problems, extra work, illness, which sometimes take every single effort we do to feel His LOVE; however, He is always inside us, even when we feel a bit abandoned by Him. I will try to think of the extra water I need to go through life.
Thanks for your nice words, which always bring some light into our busy lives.
Big hug for you and yours and have a wonderful week full of LOVE and just pretty thoughts and feelings,
Charo
Thank you, Yvonne. Your insights are well drawn and thoughtfully written. You surly have the spiritual gift of teaching. You also demonstrated courage to do the hard work of the wee little hike which is an important element when facing a big challenge. I have made notes in my journal from this post so I will not forget. Well done sister.
How kind, Marcia! I learned so much during my time in Israel
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Very meaningful to me. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Sunday morning. Another Sunday watching Worship on the computer.
Thanks for your four bottles of water or life. During these troubling time we need those four bottles to get us thru life. But as we know God will be with us all the way. Have a God Blessed day and week.
Such a beautiful analogy, and perfect timing for a wonderful reminder of what can be important for survival of both body and soul in this crazy time of pandemic and political strife. Thank you. May you and your family remain safe and well.
THANKS, Lynn! You Too!
So uplifting!!
I visited the Holy Land a couple of years ago…wish I had your ideas on keeping cool! “He leadeth me by the still waters, He restoreth my soul? What beautiful and precious promises these are to me! I really like you pictures!
HI Yvonne, Thanks for sharing this. We are going to Israel next month! Our experience will be different than yours, since we’re going in the winter. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has for us.
Blessings!
I am not an actively practicing christen. I do not attend church, but pray daily. Your Sunday posts are a true inspiration for me. I look forward to them and sharing them with my family and friends. Thank you so much.
Our Lord is so good to us and yes He is always with us. My beloved Golden Retriever dog passed away yesterday.
I am heart broken but know I will see him again. For the Bible tells us there will be animals in Heaven. He is now there with all of our pets and with my husband too.
I’ve never been to Israel. Thanks so much for sharing these good tips.
Just what I needed. Thank you for the encouragement. Truly.
Going to Israel is on my bucket list! I would love to walk where Jesus and his disciples walked. Thank you for bringing that experience back to the every day. What a blessing!
Thank you, that was wonderful! I’m saving this so I can read it over and over when needed. You are a blessing to us.
Thank you for sharing your insights and teaching and reminding us of important things.
Such a thought provoking post, Yvonne. So many spiritual lessons here…thank you for sharing your time in Israel with us. God is so faithful, its a wonderful thing to KNOW He’s always there, even during those times that feel dry. And sharing our milestone life lessons with others about His faithfulness can be life-giving as we walk this road together!
I love that you use your platform to bring spiritual encouragement along with all your decorating wisdom. Thank you! 🙂
Yvonne, I tried sending you an email today but your site says your captcha is disabled on your end.
Will be watching for an update
Beautiful message. TY.
I truly enjoy your Sunday messages and this is another great one.
This was such a beautiful, and truthful, post! And now I want to trek through the Holy Land. I watch a film regularly that goes back to the Holy Places, and I would love to go and walk them. Thank you for the inspiration! It feels like the Holy Spirit was leading me to read this today!
I love this! It is so true.
beautiful. Thank you
This side of your blog is the cherry on top!
beautiful words at the end of a hard day for me. thank you for blessing us. xox
Thank you, this was very personal to me and meant a great deal. After 3 years of fertility problems, my daughter got pregnant and miscarried. My daughter and her husband are heartbroken. Please send prayers their way.
I will, trust me.
Hugs,
Charo
Becky I too went through infertility issues (7 yrs.). My husband and I were blessed with 3 perfect and beautiful daughters. Please encourage your daughter to continue the process giving it completely to God for through him all things are possible. I am 70 years young and married 50 yrs. but still remember every detail of our journey as if were yesterday! Blessings
Praying for your daughter and her husband. Tell them to stay in prayer with God. He knows the desires of our hearts. Blessings
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
I always look forward to sunday,Yvonne. You are such a good christian woman and always have wonderful devotions.Thank you and God bless you.
Thank you for sharing.
Always enjoy reading your inspired thoughts! What a parallel and great reminder to keep ourselves hydrated!
Thank you
Thank you for another great devotional Yvonne. I will share it with my Monday God Chick Bible study group.
They will love it!:)
I read this this morning. Every word – no skimming – and was deeply rewarded. I appreciate the thought and love you have put into this piece.
Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. Thank you for your encouraging message.
Yvonne, You are funny and wise.
I look forward to your Sunday posts and the spiritual encouragement. Your post today was a great reminder to persevere through those times when we feel separated from God.
Thank you! I needed this message today.
Thanks for the encouraging post today!
Mayy the Lord bless you! Thank you for your inspiring blog.
Oh my gosh! I needed this more than you know! I’m going to highlight these
things to remember now and for future use! Thanks!
That was beautiful!
Thank you for these reminders, beautifully written.
Thank you for your encouraging message.
Embracing the beauty of this post and the gentle reminder to look up… Thank you.
Just the encouragement and light I needed for this week. I can know my travels on the rocky pathway will be guided by the Lord who will provide all my needs.Never been to Israel but love the country God has provided for his chosen people.
I have an elderly friend who traveled to Israel many times and I always enjoyed hearing the stories. I will never be able to go, so I feel that Utah was my Israel last year. We hiked the canyons and the mountains and viewed the marvels that God created for us. It was jaw-dropping gorgeous, unique at every turn. The water bottles were a big part of our wardrobe as well.
Wonderful message.
Well said and so true! Thank you for your insight!
Beautiful as usual. I am reminded of the anthem “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked”. Our spiritual journey was brilliantly given by you today.
Thank you for this uplifting post. I am currently undergoing an extremely difficult regimen of chemotherapy, and you spoke directly to my soul, giving me hope and encouragement on my long, dry pathway. Bless you.
Hi Judy,
I have been there myself in 1998.
Still healthy after all these years.
PHILLIPPIANS 4:13 !!!
Thank you for this encouraging and clever devotional.
Wonderful message thank you. Today’s homily was on being a servant to Jesus, who came to be our servant. This reading was.a servant sharing. Thank you.
I have never been to Isreal, but it sounds inspiring. That could be a place for my bucket list.
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing a much needed visual!
I participated in a Spirit-led bible study’s this morning, listened to a much-needed sermon, then came home to your wonderful thoughts on getting through dry places. I can truly say that God has reached out to me on many levels today. Thank you for being one of his messengers.
I saw Jesus in the mountain, thank u!
Thank you, Yvonne.
This summer we are planning to take our whole family to the Holy Land, and I look forward to learning all I can with them. Your experiences have made me more excited to be there.
Accidentally found your devotional this morning. I had no idea your website was spiritual uplifting too. I liked your decorating ideas but see your real calling is to refresh and encourage. Thank you for sharing your heart.
In the dry seasons, I always find it is not God who has turned away from me, but me who has turned away from God. God never moves away from us. My life’s verse is in Joshua: “Stay in the book of the law (the Bible) and do not be terrified or afraid, for the Lord they God is with you.”
So beautiful
Always enjoy your devotionals, Yvonne! We plan to go to Israel next year and can hardly wait to walk the places Jesus walked! We have an awesome God! We have to keep looking up to Him!
Bless you, Yvonne!
Well said – thanks for sharing.
This was beautiful and just what I need to read and hear this morning! Thank You!
I toured Israel myself. It was tiring ( up early/ on the bus, off the bus) but I wouldn’t have missed it. You do need lots of water, good walking shoes and a big sun hat. I imagine you went to Masada, too.
I returned to Jerusalem many times over the years that I lived in the Middle East. I’m not deeply spiritual but I felt it more there than anywhere.
It truly can be a four water bottle life at times. I believe they only serve to make us stronger, better souls.
Beautifl