A Tree Planted by Streams of Water

July 6, 2020

The first Psalm sets a beautiful tone for our study this week. As you open God’s Word each day, be re-assured by Psalm 1 that your time spent in this practice will make a difference in your life. Look for the promises in this text as you study, and trust that God will keep these promises. 

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

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REFLECTION

The Gardner and The Stream of Living Water

By Judy Webb

  

Anyone who knows me, know how much I love to garden - especially flowers. They give me joy, and a feeling of having accomplished something. Also, I enjoy a sense of working alongside God. It is His creation and I get to work in it every spring when He makes all things new again. It is important for these plants to have access to water, and that is why this Psalm speaks to me. 

¹ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked… ² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (NIV)

This has been a difficult couple weeks for me, probably you as well. All the drama, commotion, unrest, and most of all hate that surrounds us is troubling at best. I found myself questioning why this is happening? How can God allow it to continue - much the same questions as the pandemic posed for us? I was feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of an uncertain future. But it is getting clearer to me each day, that God has this under His control.

He will use the unrest and destruction all around us, to do immeasurably more than all we could hope or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) Later on, looking back, we will see the shadow of His hand all over these days and all over us. 

It took me a solid 24 hours to put it all into perspective. I stewed, worried, and wondered…then I prayed. And God took over. He dismissed my anxiety by showing me His wonder. He reminded me that “though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” (Isaiah 54:10) God never promised it would be easy. But He did promise to be with us. 

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER 

MONDAY - MEDICAL PERSONNEL

Pray for our doctors, nurses, and all medical professionals to have strength, wisdom, endurance, and alertness.