Time For God: Day 29

Focus: Psalm 133:1-3
It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore.

Reflect:
I walked through a moshav in the desert—a small Jewish community in southern Israel. Called Netiv HaAserah, it invited close observation. Each of the 100 families is responsible for farming a plot of about 2.5 acres as Quassam rockets fly overhead.

Nothing will grow unaided in that barren gravel. By applying the science of Israeli fertigation plants will prosper. A coiled pipe within a large hose provides unitized nutrients to a plant. No pressure is lost along the length of hose. Each plant receives its computer-controlled droplets daily—water plus plant-specific fertilizers.

In the moshav, you witness Isaiah’s fulfilled prophecy (35:1): The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.
When fertigation ceases the land quickly reverts to granular sand and rocky desert.
Further north, the country’s highest peak, Mount Hermon, rises 9,232 feet above the sea. From its lower slopes you look across the Sea of Galilee toward the Golan Heights. Known in Hebrew as the Kinnaret (harp), the harp-shaped lake feeds the seasonally lush, green countryside below. What a contrast from the desert sands.

The psalmist might once have walked on the land near Netiv HaAsera. His feet were familiar with rock deserts and barren sand. He records his delight in the fruitful slopes of Mount Hermon. The mountain dew produced its own style of fertigation.

From desert landscapes to Mount Hermon—what a stark contrast. It illustrates the psalmist’s message of harmony winning over disharmony. God’s rich blessing flows to brethren determined to dwell in unity together. God’s blessing is life forevermore.

Consider:
How do your attitudes, words, and actions build unity? How do you contribute to unity in the faith community where you worship? What else might God be asking of you? How will you respond?

Pray:
Lord of every opportunity, I give You heartfelt praise. Thank You that it’s never too late to make a new beginning. In your astounding generosity You invite me to experience Your love; You call me to share it daily right where you have placed me. Grant me great grace to make You known in word and deed, today. Amen.