By David Robinson
Australia is unique, in that it has an ‘internal’ wilderness, with most of it’s cities around the edge. In other nations, they usually launch out into wild places. The early names given to places in Australia such as the ‘Dead Centre’, The ‘Never Never’, ‘Mount Desolation’ and ‘Deception Bay’, evoke a pessimistic feel toward a lot of locations here. What’s in a name, ay? The ‘Dead Centre’, once maligned and written off as just a desolate wasteland, is now affectionately referred to as the ‘Red Centre’. (Many places probably need to be prophetically renamed); however it is still a very dangerous place to venture to, if you don’t know what you’re doing. Anyone bold enough to go needs to be equipped and trained properly. Yet even then, it has many risks and life-threatening hazards. Apparently, early explorers of this great land set out in the belief of a ‘great inland sea’. Considering the size of the place, it seemed not only logical but highly probable at the time that one would be found. However, they were left disappointed and bemused, that they could not locate such a thing. Some of course, lost their lives trying.
Psalm 42:1 "Oh God, you are my God, in a dry and weary land where there is no water".
There is life though, if you know where to look. The explorers disappointed by not finding a permanent inland sea in the heart of the outback, would take comfort today, that their gut feeling was right …because there is one …it’s just hidden. Deep underground, the artisian aquifer is a vast reservoir of water, many feet below the sun-cracked soil of Australia. Wells have been dug and the water is now pumped up from deep below. Also, ‘Lake Eyre’ is a drainage basin that covers one-sixth of all Australia. It is one of the largest internal drainage systems on Earth, and covers 1,140,000 square kilometers, including much of inland Queensland, large portions of South Australia and the Northern Territory, and a part of western New South Wales. The majority of the rainfall (when it eventually arrives) doesn’t go out to sea via rivers like most other nations. It drains to the centre of the basin, bringing abundant life for a season. Much of it then evaporates away quickly. Some of it though, soaks down into the earth and slowly tops up the underground reservoir, as it has done quietly for thousands of years.
The Aussies, at heart, are very much ‘trail-blazers’. The rest of the world has always benefited and will always benefit from the ‘let’s just get the job done’ approach, coupled with an innate sense of humor, when things get tough.These are just a couple, amongst many, of rare qualities that Aussies, generally, possess as a national trait. I believe one way that the Lord has shaped a national character in the people, is with regard to the rarity of water in the nation. Imagine if God had flooded the ’Red Centre’ permanently from when the settlers explored the nation to now? Australia would be a very different place! The nature of the landscape, regarding population settlement and use, would probably resemble something more like the U.S.A? (No disrespect to the U.S.A). Australians themselves would therefore be VERY DIFFERENT in character! Without the initial and later hardships, dangers, drought and resulting perserverance. Australians probably wouldn’t have developed into the overcoming people the world knows and loves. Also the rainfall on the nation doesn’t really follow any set pattern. I believe this unpredictability has generally kept Australia humble and made a people who naturally pull together well. For example, The Australian Army are World-renowned for gaining great victories under difficult circumstances, with what (sometimes little) they have. I Believe God has done this on purpose in the land, so that, in a historical and future sense, it is a blessing and a kindness from God. (Ay?) Well, it has carefully crafted Australians to ‘be robust for the approaching dusk’ of history. A redeemed Australia would praise Jesus in snake-infested dust, if that’s what it took!
In the meantime, wells (reservoirs of God’s life-giving revelation and encouragement) are being dug by (and in), those who have heard the instruction. Others are being recruited to the call. They are those willing to recognise the tough times as training. Who learn in the midst of it all, where to find life and joy (God), in harsh situations. They are disciples of Jesus Christ who have been there and back again, equipped with hard feet and soft hearts! Willing to show where to find, or give, a drink to all who need it. Just like when tourists depend on an experienced bushman to keep them alive and get them home, the world (and sadly parts of the Body of Christ) will need to depend on these particular leaders. They have been trusted by God to train His people to find and bring the ‘living water’ promised by Christ, to dry hearts out there. They are the TRUE Apostles. The Holy Spirt and God’s Word; Logos and Rhema will spring up from the depths and bring life to the surface. The digging has already started! Internationally, the wells dug by God-sent Australian Apostles - wherever in the world they go!!!! Will save many people. The times ahead, are travelling in this direction, fast and on the wrong side of the road!!
I believe the Lord would say: “For some of you, your roots have gone deep, searching Me out. A season of rain (revelation) just for Australiais coming to fall on all places and people, but only they that have prepared to receive it will soak it in deeply! My rain (Rhema Word) is precious in the hard places of the earth, and if not treasured will evaporate quickly. You will need it soon for the dry lands you will be sent to. It is precious. Keep it, when it arrives, as you would keep your supply of water in the outback”.
In a nutshell, I believe God has kept Australia in long, dry seasons, with seasons of refreshing. I believe spiritually, He will continue to do this, because as Proverbs 16: 26 says - ‘A labourers appetite makes him work harder, because he wants to satisfy his hunger”. Water from the Artesian basin appears hidden, but it is there just below the surface - like revelation kept just for Australia and it’s call in the Kingdom of God, for such a time as this.
Thank you Lord for your Australia!!!
Australia is unique, in that it has an ‘internal’ wilderness, with most of it’s cities around the edge. In other nations, they usually launch out into wild places. The early names given to places in Australia such as the ‘Dead Centre’, The ‘Never Never’, ‘Mount Desolation’ and ‘Deception Bay’, evoke a pessimistic feel toward a lot of locations here. What’s in a name, ay? The ‘Dead Centre’, once maligned and written off as just a desolate wasteland, is now affectionately referred to as the ‘Red Centre’. (Many places probably need to be prophetically renamed); however it is still a very dangerous place to venture to, if you don’t know what you’re doing. Anyone bold enough to go needs to be equipped and trained properly. Yet even then, it has many risks and life-threatening hazards. Apparently, early explorers of this great land set out in the belief of a ‘great inland sea’. Considering the size of the place, it seemed not only logical but highly probable at the time that one would be found. However, they were left disappointed and bemused, that they could not locate such a thing. Some of course, lost their lives trying.
Psalm 42:1 "Oh God, you are my God, in a dry and weary land where there is no water".
There is life though, if you know where to look. The explorers disappointed by not finding a permanent inland sea in the heart of the outback, would take comfort today, that their gut feeling was right …because there is one …it’s just hidden. Deep underground, the artisian aquifer is a vast reservoir of water, many feet below the sun-cracked soil of Australia. Wells have been dug and the water is now pumped up from deep below. Also, ‘Lake Eyre’ is a drainage basin that covers one-sixth of all Australia. It is one of the largest internal drainage systems on Earth, and covers 1,140,000 square kilometers, including much of inland Queensland, large portions of South Australia and the Northern Territory, and a part of western New South Wales. The majority of the rainfall (when it eventually arrives) doesn’t go out to sea via rivers like most other nations. It drains to the centre of the basin, bringing abundant life for a season. Much of it then evaporates away quickly. Some of it though, soaks down into the earth and slowly tops up the underground reservoir, as it has done quietly for thousands of years.
The Aussies, at heart, are very much ‘trail-blazers’. The rest of the world has always benefited and will always benefit from the ‘let’s just get the job done’ approach, coupled with an innate sense of humor, when things get tough.These are just a couple, amongst many, of rare qualities that Aussies, generally, possess as a national trait. I believe one way that the Lord has shaped a national character in the people, is with regard to the rarity of water in the nation. Imagine if God had flooded the ’Red Centre’ permanently from when the settlers explored the nation to now? Australia would be a very different place! The nature of the landscape, regarding population settlement and use, would probably resemble something more like the U.S.A? (No disrespect to the U.S.A). Australians themselves would therefore be VERY DIFFERENT in character! Without the initial and later hardships, dangers, drought and resulting perserverance. Australians probably wouldn’t have developed into the overcoming people the world knows and loves. Also the rainfall on the nation doesn’t really follow any set pattern. I believe this unpredictability has generally kept Australia humble and made a people who naturally pull together well. For example, The Australian Army are World-renowned for gaining great victories under difficult circumstances, with what (sometimes little) they have. I Believe God has done this on purpose in the land, so that, in a historical and future sense, it is a blessing and a kindness from God. (Ay?) Well, it has carefully crafted Australians to ‘be robust for the approaching dusk’ of history. A redeemed Australia would praise Jesus in snake-infested dust, if that’s what it took!
In the meantime, wells (reservoirs of God’s life-giving revelation and encouragement) are being dug by (and in), those who have heard the instruction. Others are being recruited to the call. They are those willing to recognise the tough times as training. Who learn in the midst of it all, where to find life and joy (God), in harsh situations. They are disciples of Jesus Christ who have been there and back again, equipped with hard feet and soft hearts! Willing to show where to find, or give, a drink to all who need it. Just like when tourists depend on an experienced bushman to keep them alive and get them home, the world (and sadly parts of the Body of Christ) will need to depend on these particular leaders. They have been trusted by God to train His people to find and bring the ‘living water’ promised by Christ, to dry hearts out there. They are the TRUE Apostles. The Holy Spirt and God’s Word; Logos and Rhema will spring up from the depths and bring life to the surface. The digging has already started! Internationally, the wells dug by God-sent Australian Apostles - wherever in the world they go!!!! Will save many people. The times ahead, are travelling in this direction, fast and on the wrong side of the road!!
I believe the Lord would say: “For some of you, your roots have gone deep, searching Me out. A season of rain (revelation) just for Australiais coming to fall on all places and people, but only they that have prepared to receive it will soak it in deeply! My rain (Rhema Word) is precious in the hard places of the earth, and if not treasured will evaporate quickly. You will need it soon for the dry lands you will be sent to. It is precious. Keep it, when it arrives, as you would keep your supply of water in the outback”.
In a nutshell, I believe God has kept Australia in long, dry seasons, with seasons of refreshing. I believe spiritually, He will continue to do this, because as Proverbs 16: 26 says - ‘A labourers appetite makes him work harder, because he wants to satisfy his hunger”. Water from the Artesian basin appears hidden, but it is there just below the surface - like revelation kept just for Australia and it’s call in the Kingdom of God, for such a time as this.
Thank you Lord for your Australia!!!
