En Gedi was an oasis in the mountains that David used to retreat from the enemy ~ a quiet getaway where David could get alone with his God. En Gedi was surrounded by the Dead Sea on the east and by the Wilderness of Judah on the west and by alot of barren and rocky terrain ~ a dry & dusty desert land. As you climb from the the dryness of the desert, to En Gedi, known as the "fountain of the goat" you feel the mist of the waterfall's fresh, cool water on your face and see the lush, green trees that have grown around the falls. There are mountainside caves carved in the rock or limestone above the falls. This would have been a perfect retreat for David, from the enemy. 1 Samuel 23:29 says, "And David went up from there and lived in the "strongholds of En Gedi". These caves can still be seen today, some are large enough to hold thousands of people.
We all need an oasis, an En Gedi, a place of retreat ~ a place to revive the soul! God desires to be our Retreat, our Oasis, our Stronghold!
My En Gedi
By Sheryl Jackson
Moonlight seeps through the folage
In dark woods deep.
It dances on the window pain
As I find no peace for sleep.
My soul has grown weary
Of life's stress and strife
But You, O Lord, are my En Gedi
An oasis in the wilderness of life.
The deserts of difficulty
Seem to have taken their toll
But You are the Living Water
That refreshes and revives my soul.
By quiet waters, I am stilled
As I sit at your feet.
My thirst is forever quenched
In You, I find relief.
In the shadow of Your wings
I find strength for each new day
You are my Oasis in life's deserts
May You be my En Gedi, again, today!
GOD REVIVES THE SOUL! Revive means to bring back to life, to impart new health, vigor or spirit; to restore to use, to refresh and to renew! God is capable of reviving us! To renew and refresh!
Psalm 71:20 says, (English Standard Version)
"You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will REVIVE ME again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again."
Psalm 138:7 says,
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will REVIVE ME; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me."
Psalm 143:11 says,
"For the sake of Your name, O Lord, REVIVE ME. REVIVE ME, O Lord for Your name sake; for Thy Righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble ~"
The words to Christy Nockels song, You Revive Me ~ for me, is so true! Oh, how I hope it is for you my friend! He alone can make our deserts become rivers of joy, He alone can revive me! If you need to be revived, go to the Source that never runs dry! Find a quiet place, a retreat, a place to get alone with God and let Him be your Oasis ~ allow Him to quiet your heart and to still your soul!
You Revive Me
By Christy Nockels
Chorus:
You revive me, You revive me, Lord
And all my deserts are rivers are joy
You are the treasure, I could not afford
So, I'll spend myself til I'm empty and poor
All for You ~ You Revive me, Lord.
You revive me.
Lord, I have seen Your goodness
And I know the way You are
Give me eyes to see You in the dark
Your face shines a glory, that I only know in part
And there's still a longing, a longing in my heart.
Chorus
My soul, O Lord, is thirsty
Only You can satisfy,
You are the well that will never run dry.
I'll praise You for the blessing, for calling me Your friend.
In Your name I'm lifting, I'm lifting up my hands.
Because ~ Chorus
All for You, You Revive me, Lord
I'm alive, I'm alive
You breathe on me
You revive me.
Repeat
Psalm 19:7 says,
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes."
When we think of the word "law" we think of something that steals our fun, but here we can see the opposite ~ the law (God's Word) revives us, makes us wise, gives joy to the heart, gives light to the eyes, warns us and rewards us.
En Gedi today! I'm praying for you my friend ~ may He revive you!
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