Daily
Devotional

Having anything but a “green thumb,” my plants have to be the type that do not require constant supervision or a master gardener’s touch. There are three plants in my home which meet this standard, and I really enjoy them. These three are perfect for me because, with just a little sunshine and water, they make great year-round house plants. When I look at them, I am so glad I have them; my yard outside may be full of snow, but I can always feast my eyes on my faithful indoor plants!

Around the first of the year, things were pretty hectic in my life. I let a week go by without watering my plants, and then a week turned into two weeks, and two weeks into a month. The next thing I knew, it had been a month and a half since I had watered them! The sun faithfully shined down on them, but I was not so faithful. Consequently, their leaves turned yellow and wilted.  

Wondering if there was any hope for them, I got out my water pitcher and made several trips from the sink to the plants, determined to help them. I could imagine my plants panting for the water and I wondered, Is my heart as thirsty as my plants appear to be? Does my soul pant for God?

To grow spiritually, we need to have a thirst for the Holy Spirit that moves us to seek Him daily, not just when we notice that our relationship with God is wilting. Our key verse relates this to how a hart (deer) pants for water brooks. When a hart is exhausted, a stream is his haven. He will descend into that stream and swim in the very midst of it, drinking until he can drink no more. If dogs are chasing after the hart, the water also becomes his refuge. He will sink under the water until his body is hidden and only his nose remains above. He depends on the water for both nourishment and survival.

Is God our haven? Do we set aside time to immerse ourselves in His presence? Is He our refuge? Do we hide ourselves in Him when the enemy threatens to attack? Jesus freely offers the waters of eternal life to all, but action is required on our part. We must surrender our lives to Him, and then keep our experience of salvation fresh by visiting the Fountain regularly. When our hearts long for Him and His blessing more than anything else in this world, He is pleased to fill us.