No better known example of testing in the Bible is there than the story of Job. A righteous and upright man [see Job 1:1] he endured a severe period of trial and testing. His story has had to inspire millions to a renewed perspective to whatever circumstance they are facing. Many lessons can be learned from Job’s story, and all would agree that he experienced a “dry” place. In his time of testing he found God’s voice non-existent at times. However, when it was all said and done, his experience brought him closer in relationship with the Almighty. This is God’s purpose for testing us—to bring us closer to him. (For more on Job see Truth for Righteous Living –“Lessons from Job). Have you ever had a fight with your best friend? I’m sure you have. Your relationship probably hit another level once you guys had the disagreement. It was not all peachy-creamy, rosey-posey anymore. There was the unveiling of a different side of that person in your eyes (and probably theirs too.) Point being, that when those types of things happen, it inevitably draws you closer if it does not break you. I would like to think of my “dry” places like that. When experiencing a trial, there are times that you just do not understand what God is trying to show or teach you. This can bring frustration and illicit feelings like the psalmist David probably felt as he was hunted by King Saul (read 1 Samuel 21-26). As he spent years in the wilderness running from a paranoid man with an army, David must have felt abandoned by God. What about the prophecy given by Samuel about his kingship (see 1 Samuel 16:11-13)? How do you think he felt? What I have learned is that God expects these feelings and doesn’t mind hearing them. Hey, if Job and David can show God their frustration, why can’t I (see Job 7:11)? I cannot always say that these expressions leave me with the warm-fuzzies though. Sometimes it takes a while before I am back at his throne—broken and humbled. This is the state where I can hear his voice clearly and this process brings me closer to him—it brings me back to focus. There is no greater feeling than to know that your Heavenly Father hears you and is moving on your behalf. No matter how great your trial may seem and no matter how far removed it seems he may be from the situation---he’s still there. He is waiting to hear a cry from your heart that can only be answered by him. It is a total surrender to him. It is a total reliance and dependence on his plan. Like Job and David, the anguish of their “dry” places left us lessons on how to relate and talk to God. The story of their lives left many inked pages of intimate relationship building with their maker. Job went on to trust the Lord to receive double of everything he had lost (see Job 42:10). David went on to be a “man after God’s heart” and in his dry place he wrote:
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:3-8 NKJV
Only after he chased after God with all his heart did the journey lead him to a place of desperation and loneliness. Nevertheless, he was never alone because God was always there waiting to hear his cry. Where are you today? If you are in a dry place, God is there waiting to hear your cry of desperation and to draw you closer to him. He is there to walk with you through your dry place and give you focus and clarity to your purpose.