Water water everywhere

One of the most beautiful and moving prophecies of Isaiah, touching on the coming of Christ:

A man will be as a hiding place from the wind,
And a cover from the tempest,
As rivers of water in a dry place,
As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
The eyes of those who see will not be dim,
And the ears of those who hear will listen.

Shade and water -the desert people know just how precious and merciful the two are. I read this today and thought: of Dune, the Aiel in the Wheel of Time series, the Sahara and how it grows - year on year, drought stricken Australia.

This is how desperately we needed Him. At christmas, we talk of tidings of joy and peace as though He were some affable Santa bringing sweet thoughts and presents for children.

This is not some cute optional present.

This is shade and water. This is life.

This is shelter from the harsh elements.

This is sight and hearing - surely the most needed for survival amongst all the 5 senses.

This is beauty.

The verses spelling it out, line after line. Spelling out the desperation, the critical need in language we can understand.