Dig Deep: There Is Water in the Desert

In Texas, there’s a tree called the mesquite. It looks rough and twisted, and people often overlook it. But its real strength isn’t what you see on the outside. It’s what’s happening underground. Its roots go as deep as 200 feet, breaking through hard soil and rock to find hidden water. Even when the land around it looks dry and lifeless, the mesquite tree stays strong because it’s connected to a deeper source.

That’s a picture of our Christian life. We all go through seasons of dryness, times when the joy is missing, the prayers feel unanswered, and the path ahead looks uncertain. On the surface, life may appear parched and lifeless. Those are not the times to give up, but to dig deeper. To go beyond what’s visible and to reach down into what we believe.

The Holy Scriptures remind us: “Blessed is the one who delights in the law of the Lord… they are like a tree planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:1). Even if those streams aren’t visible on the surface, even when life feels dry and fruitless, the person whose heart is rooted in God will not wither. They may bend, but they will not break. Their nourishment comes from a deeper place.

The desert, in all its difficulty, has a purpose. It strips away distractions. It tests the depth of our roots. It reveals what we truly depend on. The mesquite doesn’t grow despite the desert; it grows because of it. And in the same way, the struggle isn’t always the enemy, it might just be your greatest teacher.

If you find yourself today in a season of dryness, if your prayers feel like they’re bouncing off the ceiling, if your strength is low and your soul is weary, take heart. It doesn’t mean God has turned away. It means He’s inviting you to go deeper. To discover the hidden wellspring of His presence, flowing far beneath the surface.

The desert won't last forever. The rains will come. And when they do, those who have grown deep, who have trusted in the hidden work of God, will stand tall. Their strength will be real, their fruit abundant, and their roots unshakable. So dig deep. There is water in the desert.