God of all situations and blessings; bless the needs in the life of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Isaiah 55: 10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 12 For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. (NRSV)
This is a prophetic passage of hope. And more so because rain has been scarce here recently. But the writer knew that rain and snow come from heaven and to heaven they return; while here they accomplish the work of "bring(ing) forth." There is a planned interaction between sunlight and rain, sowing, planting, and harvesting. All the work gets accomplished and God in everything has and is, a success. Those who work for God in the same way play a part of that interaction, not all doing the same thing, but all headed in the same direction of bringing forth the harvest for God. Some are Sunday school teachers. Some attend Sunday school. Some sing in the choir. Some like to listen to the choir. Some lead praise bands. Some sing in praise bands. Some play in praise bands. Some like to listen and sing with praise bands. Just as rain and snow, all of us have a great part to play.
The promise? Imagine being sent out with joy and led back in peace! Imagine a praise band led by mountains and hills, assisted by the clapping of the trees! All so that instead of thorns and briers we might have cypress and myrtle, all signs of God's everlasting love and presence.
PRAYER: Loving God may I be a part of that which needs to be done today in the harvest of your flowers. I've done enough to be a thorn and brier, but thanks to You I have been led away from that, to where I need to be. Let me help be a blessing to many. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
