The Weekly Word - A Devotion for the Week of January 25
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. (Psalm 1: 1-3)
If you’ve ever seen a resurrection plant, you might be familiar with how it can survive for weeks, months and even years without water. During periods of drought, the resurrection plant enters a dormant state, rolling itself tightly into a dry ball and blowing around the desert like a tumbleweed. This survival mechanism allows the resurrection plant to withstand its severe environment for a long time without sustenance.
In its dormant state, the stiff, dry resurrection plant looks unmistakably dead, but don’t let its appearance deceive you. Give it a little water, and the plant will rejuvenate within a few hours, unfurling its greening leaves and flourishing once again.
The resurrection plant is a fitting metaphor for the words we hear from the psalmist today. Our “water,” the psalmist reminds us, is the Word of God. Like the resurrection plant that flourishes in a desert rain, we flourish when we root ourselves deeply in the living water of Scripture.
The resurrection plant can survive in the southwest desert for long periods without water, but it does not truly flourish and thrive until it receives rain. The same can be said for us as well. We can perhaps survive without the Word of God in our daily lives, but the question is, will we thrive? Only the thirst-quenching Word of God truly feeds and replenishes our soul, allowing us to flourish and thrive in peace.
Gracious God, in my busyness, distracted by all my daily obligations and responsibilities, I tend to let Your Word fall by the wayside. Thank You for reminding me today that it’s always worth it for me to take time to be with You. You are the water for my weary, dried out soul. Amen.