October 15, 2009

Okay today was incredible. My favorite stories are of David. When reading Leap Over a Wall by Eugene Peterson, David's stories had come more alive in my soul. Especially when he was in the wilderness. Today we had gone down from Jerusalem to En Gedi by the Dead sea. Driving to En Gedi it was a barren waste land. for miles you could not see any source of life. Of course you had farmers that had irrigation to farm by the dead sea, but I guarantee you that those plants that were on the farm weren't there 4,000 years ago when David was there. It was all desert. Dry a hundred million degrees and he and his followers could only find relief in the caves around the cliffs and the beautiful Oasis at En Gedi. You come to En Gedi and it is an Oasis. This is where David was when he was in a cave and Saul was in his cave relieving himself. David had a perfect moment to strike at King Saul, but did not because King Saul was God's anointed king. Spring water come up out of the ground and provide shade and water to drink. Then you can quickly see where water does not get to because it is just rocks and more rocks no life at all. Dr. Waddell had us write psalms when we were at En Gedi. David wrote many of his psalms here in the wilderness. here is my Psalm that I will share:

God I magnify your name. You

are with me in this barren land.

Isolated from all unrighteousness.

God you have place me in David's

wilderness. A wilderness where you

seek truth. Your beauty is seen here

through his barren land. Pools of

life spring forth from here. Giving

hope and life to all who come near.

How refreshing are the springs,

bringing life back into this barren

land. God it is good to know you are

always with me in this barren land.

Providing all that I need to survive.

I love you Lord.

Being at En Gedi was very refreshing. I needed this. I have felt like I have been in a wilderness, and coming to an oasis has brought me back to realizing that through all hardships God is always there giving me life. The springs there were very cool and refreshing to me symbolizes Gods word being refreshing to me soul. The shade provides relief from the scorching sun. This symbolizes God protecting me from harmful things of this world. Although I catch myself being of this world, I go back to God because i know he is with me. His truth sets me free from all unrighteousness.

God thank you so much breathing life into me. Being with me always through good times and bad times. I love you so much.