Monday we mused on
Psalm 66:11-13.
Psalm 66:11-13.
“You brought us into the net;
You laid
affliction on our backs.
affliction on our backs.
You have
caused men to ride over our heads;
caused men to ride over our heads;
We went
through fire and through water;
through fire and through water;
But You
brought us out to rich fulfillment.”
NKJV
brought us out to rich fulfillment.”
NKJV
Let’s
jump into context for a moment before we get to the meat of the message.
jump into context for a moment before we get to the meat of the message.
It’s
hard hearing that God brought His people into the net (or prison) and laid
afflictions (hardships) on them. Men rode over their heads? Yikes!
hard hearing that God brought His people into the net (or prison) and laid
afflictions (hardships) on them. Men rode over their heads? Yikes!
But
waaaay back in Deuteronomy God clues His people in by giving them commands. In
fact, He warns them a billion times it seems not to leave Him to worship other
gods (false gods, idols i.e. anything you put before Him) and then He gave them
clear conditions of what would happen if they did.
waaaay back in Deuteronomy God clues His people in by giving them commands. In
fact, He warns them a billion times it seems not to leave Him to worship other
gods (false gods, idols i.e. anything you put before Him) and then He gave them
clear conditions of what would happen if they did.
One of
those was allowing other nations to come in and take them captive–to net them
so to speak. Many died. But He promised, because He’s
faithful, to keep a remnant of people and that He would deliver them.
The whole point was to turn them back to Him. Away from things that they were
putting first and from ungodly practices.
those was allowing other nations to come in and take them captive–to net them
so to speak. Many died. But He promised, because He’s
faithful, to keep a remnant of people and that He would deliver them.
The whole point was to turn them back to Him. Away from things that they were
putting first and from ungodly practices.
The
Psalmist, here, is actually praising God for His wonderful works. Yes, fire and
water came. But yes! God delivered His people through and on the other side
came abundance. Rich fulfillment.
Psalmist, here, is actually praising God for His wonderful works. Yes, fire and
water came. But yes! God delivered His people through and on the other side
came abundance. Rich fulfillment.
Isaiah
43:1-2 says,”O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for
I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will
be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When
you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames
will not consume you.”
43:1-2 says,”O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for
I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will
be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When
you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames
will not consume you.”
Guess what? You’re going through the fire. And water. Probably
many times. But you won’t be burned. You won’t drown.
many times. But you won’t be burned. You won’t drown.
Let’s
take a look at an interesting tree.
take a look at an interesting tree.
The
Rocky Mountain Lodgepole. The lodgepole “produces serontinous cones which
do not open at maturity because they’re sealed shut by a resin between the cone
and the scale.” *taken from HERE*
Rocky Mountain Lodgepole. The lodgepole “produces serontinous cones which
do not open at maturity because they’re sealed shut by a resin between the cone
and the scale.” *taken from HERE*
These
trees require heat with temperatures between 113-140 degrees F to melt that
resin and release the seeds.
trees require heat with temperatures between 113-140 degrees F to melt that
resin and release the seeds.
In nature, only forest fires can produce those kind of
temperatures.
temperatures.
The
Jackpine, in Michigan, is similar to the Lodgepole. And there’s a bird called
the Kirtland Warbler, which is endangered, that loves to nest in them. So the
Department of Natural Resources actually light fires in these Jackpine
ecosystems so they can release seeds from their cones and thus produce more
trees, thus as more Warblers breed, they have a safe place to live.
Jackpine, in Michigan, is similar to the Lodgepole. And there’s a bird called
the Kirtland Warbler, which is endangered, that loves to nest in them. So the
Department of Natural Resources actually light fires in these Jackpine
ecosystems so they can release seeds from their cones and thus produce more
trees, thus as more Warblers breed, they have a safe place to live.
In 2002,
“the annual census counted over 1000 singing males…” They can be
heard singing beautiful melodies up to half a mile.
“the annual census counted over 1000 singing males…” They can be
heard singing beautiful melodies up to half a mile.
To prepare the ground work, fire is necessary.
I think we’re a lot like Lodgepole pines and Jackpines. We need the fire
cranked up to open us up, to produce seed in order to grow–to bear fruit.
I think we’re a lot like Lodgepole pines and Jackpines. We need the fire
cranked up to open us up, to produce seed in order to grow–to bear fruit.
“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears
the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and
produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:23
the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and
produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:23
When we
allow the fire to come, when God allows heated circumstances to develop us and
open us up for His glory, it will draw others to us and ultimately to Christ.
Like the Warblers. Flocking to us.
allow the fire to come, when God allows heated circumstances to develop us and
open us up for His glory, it will draw others to us and ultimately to Christ.
Like the Warblers. Flocking to us.
Like the
mustard seed in Matthew 13:31, which was a small seed but, when it grew, it
became a tree for birds of the air to nest in its branches. The body of Christ
is like that tree. A place for those to come and nest. Make their home.
Connect. Find comfort–the same comfort we were comforted with when we went
through the fire, when it opened us up and produced good fruit in our lives.
mustard seed in Matthew 13:31, which was a small seed but, when it grew, it
became a tree for birds of the air to nest in its branches. The body of Christ
is like that tree. A place for those to come and nest. Make their home.
Connect. Find comfort–the same comfort we were comforted with when we went
through the fire, when it opened us up and produced good fruit in our lives.
I think
with each Warbler, a new song is sung.
with each Warbler, a new song is sung.
“He
put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our
God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust
the Lord.” Psalm 40:3
put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our
God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust
the Lord.” Psalm 40:3
We just
have to get through the fire first. And sometimes, it burns hot. Because that’s
what it takes for us to bloom and grow and produce for the Kingdom. For glory
of our King. And to bring in new birds, with new songs.
have to get through the fire first. And sometimes, it burns hot. Because that’s
what it takes for us to bloom and grow and produce for the Kingdom. For glory
of our King. And to bring in new birds, with new songs.
I’m
hosting at Living by Grace! Like our page on facebook and a new devotional will
pop into your feed every single day! I can use daily encouragement, how about
you?
hosting at Living by Grace! Like our page on facebook and a new devotional will
pop into your feed every single day! I can use daily encouragement, how about
you?
I’m curious, do you have a favorite bird? God’s creatures are
amazing!
amazing!
This is great, Jess! I'd heard about those trees before and how the fire makes them open, but I'd never heard about the birds, and you used some of my most favorite verses. Great way to start my day:)
What a beautiful message today, Jessica. It'll stick.
I like the fat little colorful ones.
~ Wendy
I don't know that I have a favorite bird, but your post gave me a new interest in our winged friends. 🙂
I know I say this every single Wednesday, but man, I love your Wednesday posts.
Beautiful. I love your writing.
My favorite birds are hummingbirds because they remind me of my grandmother.
LOVE this message today. He never promises we won't go through difficulties, but He does promise He'll be with us and bring us through.
I saw two cardinals this morning and I thought about how bright and beautiful they are. I don't have a favorite but they are right up there!
Jess, what a great way to start my day! I love your Wednesday devos's!
My favorite birds are the cardinal and hummingbird. Both beautiful and intricate in creation…like us! 🙂
Great illustrations!
Such an insightful post today, Jess. Awesome. Thanks for sharing the story of the tree, it's seeds, the fire, and the birds. Amazing how God works in nature!
I'm a fan of the hummingbird.
How fascinating about the trees!! They only release seeds when set aflame. You said it perfectly: "To prepare the ground work, fire is necessary." The parallel truth in our spiritual lives is right on point. Just like our faith muscle doesn't get strengthened until exercised, going through fire produces fruit in us that would otherwise not be released. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!! I'm tucking your wonderful post away for further pondering. YAY!
Great insight, Jess! Loved learning about the different plants that flourish with fire.
I always enjoy watching for hawks. Whenever we go on trips or travel between Fort Worth and Dallas, we see hawks. They are regal…powerful.
Great post today, Jessica. I love the thought of us going through the fire and flourishing under God's hands….opening up to what He has designed us to be.
Great post, Jessica! I've been encouraged ever since you began this series. It's led me to study these Scriptures closely during my Bible readings.
My favorite bird is the parakeet. They have a variety of colors and the little cooing sounds they make are adorable.