Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live. 6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.” Isaiah 55:2b-3a, 6-13
My husband and I just spent 4 days drinking in the beauty of God’s creation in Utah and Colorado. We saw the desert blooming and the mountains covered in green grass. The high mountain peaks were pristine with fresh snow and the vistas were incredibly beautiful.
Spending time in God’s glorious creation, taking time to see the cactus blooming, watching the birds soar on the thermals, appreciating the incredible formations made of rock, sand and water, cause me to give thanks to God. I praise him for the beauty and for making me able to appreciate it.
We saw how the rain and snow this winter has provided for the plants, making the desert “bud and flourish.” Creation gives us a picture of how God provides; he provides for us as well. Take a walk this week, look around your neighborhood, or go to a park or into the mountains. Observe the green grass, the blooming trees, bushes and flowers. Give thanks to God for his provision of moisture this past winter. Let your soul delight in the beauty of spring. Then look at your own life. What can you thank God for? How has God provided for you when you were in need? Remember God’s word, “will accomplish what I (God) desire and achieve the purpose for which I (God) sent it.”
By Grace Hunter
