“The Lord looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?”
Judges 6:14
Last week, my family and I returned from a trip to KY. On our way, we stopped at Mammoth Cave National Park to walk through the Lord-of-the-Rings-like caverns and hike through their trails.
As we walked, the tree pictured above captured my attention. I asked my girls to come to see it. There was a lesson here in this tree, I told them, and I wanted to share it with them.
From the top of the tree, all looks well. Green leaves, healthy bark, and a canopy casting shade. However, as you descend the tree, you see a different story. Barely standing, the trunk is damaged and almost giving way. A small portion of the trunk remains. However, it is enough to sustain life, and the top of the tree is flourishing.
What’s the lesson?
- Choices lead to consequences.
- Sometimes, those consequences are not good.
- However, with the good that remains, one can build a life.
God redeems, restores, and reconciles. The gospel message is that there is always hope because Christ accomplished what we could never accomplish for ourselves. He became cursed so that we would be blessed.
Rest in the good news of Jesus Christ. Then, turn and, in faith, trust Him to restore any year(s) the locust has eaten, and use your strength to work powerfully in accomplishing His good will in His good way.
Amen.
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Galatians 3:14-15 (KJV)
— June 1, 2023