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| Seattle Stream Photo by Bgrace |
My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi,
Like the torrents of wadis which vanish,
Which are turbid because of ice,
And into which the snow melts.
When they become waterless,
they are silent,
When it is hot, they vanish from their place.
The paths of their course wind along,
They go up into nothing and perish.
The caravans of Tema looked,
The travelers of Sheba hoped for them.
They were disappointed for they had trusted,
They came there and were confounded.
Job 6:15-20
In Job's day, knowing how to find water along the way was key to surviving any journey. Water was life. You needed to stay hydrated and so did your camels. It was critical that you identified trustworthy sources of water that would sustain you until you reached your next water source.
This is the problem with wadis. Wadis are intermittent streams. When its cool, they give you the impression that they are strong and trustworthy. But wadis are an unreliable source. They come and go with the seasons. They are helpful when you least need them. This is what makes them dangerous. Because when its hot, you go to them for survival-- but to no avail. They deceive you into thinking they will help you but when you most need them, they have nothing for you but dust. They are not just unhelpful, they lead you into danger, and further away from a true water source.
Job compares his friends to these wadis. In his darkest hours, he hoped that they might be able to sustain him, but found that they were empty of anything that was helpful. They gave him nothing he needed. They led him away from what would give him life. Instead of truth, they gave him additional burdens--false guilt, more confusion, even shame. What a huge disappointment. What a grave let-down. To trust there was water and find only dust.
In my journey I have encountered some truly intermittent streams. How I wish I had never trusted them. But I am thankful for those sources of water along the way which have proved faithful time and time again. For my family who has never allowed an ocean to come between us. For friends who have watched with me through the countless hours of my dark night. For my beloved husband, whose stream has remained consistent. For my Savior, the river of life, from whom all true water sources flow.
As the deer pants for streams of water,
So my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
Where can I go and meet with God?
Psalm 42:1-2
