+DEV+ God and Growth

Date: August 2, 2010 10:54 PM
Topic: +DEV+ God and Growth

God and Growth

"...the mountains and the 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..." (Isaiah 55:12b-13a).
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 55

Here at last the curse is broken, and we have joyful harmony between God's people and nature. This whole passage invites us to "come and drink," to change our wicked ways and to turn to the Lord and His Word that we might enjoy forgiveness, peace and joy seems almost too good to be true. And yet, this is exactly what Jesus has already done for us! When these words were written, the fulfillment of the promises was in the distant future. But after His coming He left the Holy Spirit to cause the seeds of that perfect tomorrow to live and germinate within us now. We are not on "hold." The brand new life cycle has already begun in the heart of every believer.

In our formerly cursed lives where once there were thorns, cypress trees are growing; where nettles grew, myrtles are sprouting. We see evidence of new growth all around us in our lives and the lives of our family in Christ. If the little shoots of green we see do not compare to what they will be someday, so what? We're already part of a second genesis!

Insight: God's word liberally applied will act as a fertilizer, increasing healthy growth and pest-free fruit for the spiritually hungry people in your life.