Transformation

 

"The poor and needy seek water,
but there is none.
Their tongues fail for thirst.
I, the LORD, will hear them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open rivers in desolate heights,
And fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water.
I will plant in the wilderness
the cedar and acacia tree,
the myrtle and the oil tree;
I will set in the desert
the cypress and the pine
and the box tree together,
that they may see and know,
and consider and understand together,
that the hand of the LORD has done this.
And the Holy One of Israel has created it."
                                  Isaiah 41:17-20

Our Father uses this beautiful natural imagery of watering and planting the desert, in order to show the power of transformation that He brings to the lives of those who desire and thirst for Him.
When we seek to know our Father, and begin to study His word, and meditate upon what we have learned of Him, we begin to desire to reflect His nature, His character.
Jesus proclaims in a loud voice that if anyone thirsts, let him come to Him and drink (John 7:37). He also tells the woman at the well:
"but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

There is a transformation in the life of a human being from having a relationship with our Father, and with His Son, Jesus. This transformation not only occurs in us, but in all of the circumstances pertaining to our lives.
The Apostle Paul explains that we become a new creature, a new creation through our relationship with Christ. We cannot help but be changed:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."         2 Cor. 5:17

Our Father has told us that He has made great and precious promises by which we become partakers of His divine nature! (2 Peter 1:4). He created us in His image, and His plans for us have never changed. By His transforming power, we begin to walk in His likeness and being.

The prophet Isaiah again says of God:
"Do not remember the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert...
Because I give waters in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to My people, My chosen.
This people I have formed for Myself;
They shall declare My praise."
                                 Isaiah 43:18-21

The purpose of the transforming power of God is to bless and benefit His people, and to cause His people to rejoice, showing praise to God. He has always desired to fill the earth with mankind fulfilling His purpose: to inhabit His image and character.
Though we may try to change ourselves with all of our might, our success is often limited, and of short duration. But the transformation that comes from our Father, starts in our innnermost being. It is miraculous, and everlasting. Some of the changes are startling and sudden. Some of the changes begin to show slowly in our thoughts, emotions, and finally, our outward behavior. This transformation received with our commitment to the LORD, continues throughout our whole life.
Our Father delights in His transforming power, and desires for us to share in this delight.

"To Be Like You (Lord)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmITHkKGyO4