God Speaking

“….You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring where waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11)

In North America we are enjoying late spring. If you love gardening you know that this is a vital time to ensure that all those tender plants, so lovingly planted, get a good start so that in a few weeks they will be sturdy enough to display all their colourful glory. Careful and consistent watering is of utmost importance at this stage so the plants can form a sound and solid root system to sustain them through the warmer summer weather and to allow them to reach their full potential.

Water is one of the essential needs for all human beings. Without it we die.

The Bible repeatedly uses graphic illustrations using water and often in a garden setting which we all can relate to, as we imagine ourselves being those tender plants being carefully nurtured by our Heavenly Father, the gardener. Man was created in a garden setting and in the final book of the Bible we read of a mighty river flowing with crystal water bordered with huge sturdy trees bearing fruit. (Revelation 22:1 – 2)

John tells his disciples that the Father is the gardener;

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” (John 15:1)

Just knowing the Heavenly Father is our gardener, gives us a great sense of assurance that he knows exactly what we need to ensure our healthy growth.

My daughter and I were recently walking through a little path in our neighbourhood that winds through a group of houses and we were delighted to see that either side of this path, the residents had taken the patch in front of their home to create a community garden for everybody to enjoy. I was intrigued to see the wide range of plants each family had chosen. Some had used their patch to concentrate on beautiful flowers and shrubs. Others had chosen to plant all sorts of vegetables ranging from lettuce and spinach to tomatoes. Also in this beautiful picture were huge sturdy trees that has graced this space long before the present houses. As I was admiring the work of the gardeners I realised that from the sturdy trees to the delicate annuals, all needed that precious water to survive.

I began to understand why this theme is repeated over and over again in Scripture and because we realise how important water is for survival, we begin to grasp what Jesus said to the woman at the well.

“Jesus answered. ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” (John 4:13 – 14)

Sometimes we go through periods in our lives when we feel dry and lifeless. Our spirits can feel parched like leaves drooping from lack of water. Any sort of growth seems hampered by lack of energy. The very root of what we believe now feels shaky. We are not able to bloom where we are planted. That is when we most need to be drenched in that life giving water our Heavenly Father is standing by ready to give to us without cost.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1)

When we accept this free offer of our Lord’s, we will be that well watered garden bringing delight to him and being able to bring great delight to others as we bloom and share his love to all those around us.