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Isaiah 40:8 – The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. (NKJV)
At the time of writing, here in southern Ontario, Canada, we are experiencing a very hot and dry summer. The grass in our yard, as well as in the neighbourhood, is turning brown, and vegetable gardens are in dire need of water.
In addition to our front and back lawns, a small vegetable garden, and several flowerbeds, we also have a number of flower boxes on the railing of the wooden deck at the back of our house. Every day, my wife gets the watering can and looks after them, first thing in the morning. If she does not, those flowers will wilt and dry out within a day or two.
This summer, we have had to be especially diligent in our watering chores for our plants to thrive and grow.
Considering this, I thought about us, thriving and growing spiritually. Just as the flower boxes need water every day, so we need to read God's Word on a daily basis. It is the only way to keep our faith life nourished, the only way to keep it growing and blossoming. If we don't, our faith will be like the dried-out gardens: it will wither and cease to thrive.
After the death of Moses, when Joshua took over as leader of the people of Israel and was about to take them into the Promised Land, he told them to be strong and courageous. Then he reminded them of the laws that Moses had given them:
Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)
Paul, too, reminds us that we should read the words of Scripture:
Romans 15:4 – For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (NKJV)
During the summer heat, it is essential that we water our flowers every day if we want them to thrive and grow. Likewise, as we take the time to water our lives regularly with the Word of God, which stands forever, we, too, shall be blessed with spiritual growth and maturity throughout every season of life.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, there are so many people who need to read Your Word. We pray that You would speak to the hearts of those who need this encouragement so that they will learn about You and the blessings that they will receive. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
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May it be so Joel.
Thank you for this precious reminder.
Beautiful thoughts.
(B.C.)
Thanks Joel for this reminder to water our souls as well as our plants. Blessings.
Great devotional, Joel! What water is to flowers, God’s Word is to the soul!
Wonderful. Thanks.
Amen to your prayer Joel. Even those who are well aware of the need for daily Scripture reading and meditation also need to be reminded, or even given a push sometimes. Thank you for that.
You are so right Joel, and as we read, God reveals things in scripture as he wants us to know them. After many years of daily reading the Bible I am still often surprised at what I haven’t noticed before.
Blessings.
Dear Joel,
Thanks for the devotional. Yes, we need the water of the Word, the refreshment and the Joy.
Here in many spots in southern Manitoba we have had even more rain than we need this summer — though the higher end of my slightly-sloping garden needs it.
We’d like to share it. Sometimes we have had drought, so we understand your situation. May God bless you with rain.
What a powerful devotional! May God continue to bless your writing for Him.
Excellent illustration, Joel. So many of our people are drying out and dying out. A good reminder.
Joel – Thank you for writing your devotionals. I get so much strength and knowledge from these. May God continue to bless you and all the authors with His wisdom.
Hi Joel, I live in Southern California, it saddens me that someone else has to live in a dry climate also!
Yet this dry climate is a constant reminder to me of what you just encouraged us to do. Stay in God’s Word. As Jesus is the water of Life, I know that water brings a quality of life, and Jesus is that quality that makes living in dry climates bearable or Jesus is the quality that makes living in the world tolerable.
Thanks for the Word.
Dear Joel,
Thanks for your devotional.
Yes, we must keep with God’s Word. And it is a joy to do so!
Keep writing.