The Wastelands Will Rejoice

When my family and I went hiking last weekend in the badlands of Drumheller, it was like we were transported through time and landed on the moon. I even half-expected to see aliens or something. Most of Alberta consists of flat fertile farm lands, but in the centre of the province, there is this desolate piece of land consisting of dry, rolling hills whose only vegetation is sage brush and cactus.

The bare, eroded walls of the hills exposed different colours of sedimentary rock layers. It is quite spectacular to see!

When I view these pictures, I think of how our world is, in general, very much like this — a wasteland that is dry and infertile, and does not allow God's Word to take root and grow, thus preventing our land from flourishing with the truths of God and His goodness. However, there is coming a time when Jesus will rule this earth in His sovereignty and holiness. Then the wilderness and desert will become places of rejoicing, and the wasteland will blossom with beautiful spring flowers.

"Even the wilderness and desert

will be glad in those days.

The wasteland will rejoice

and blossom with spring crocuses."

Isaiah 35:1 (NLT)