At the Scent of Water

Not far from our church is an old tree. This tree is planted in front of a building that we, as a congregation, rented for a season, four years ago. This tree was noticeable because its bark was hollow inside, so much so that a small child would be able to hide inside the hollow part.

One evening we had a bad electric thunder storm, and this tree was hit by lightning. Its bark was black, and we were sure it would never grow again. In fact, because of the storm, some electric cables were damaged, and the local municipality had to come and dig up some of the underground cables near the tree and had to remove some of the roots of the tree in order to fix the cables. Not long after all this happened, we no longer needed to use the building we rented, and moved premises.

However, recently the Lord impressed on our hearts to start prayer-walking our local community where our church is, and to begin to declare His blessing and peace as we walk. On one of the prayer-walks, we passed the old building we used to rent. To our great surprise this old hollow tree was still standing. In fact, its branches had lots of green leaves and new shoots growing! I was reminded of the scripture in the book of Job 14:7-9: ‘Even a tree has more hope! If it is cut down, it will sprout again and grow new branches. Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays, at the scent of water it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling’.

In our own lives we may go through some very tough seasons - seasons where it feels like there is no hope and we are barely standing because of the difficulties and onslaught we’re facing. But just like that old, hollow tree, and just like the Book of Job tells us, ‘at the scent of water…’ new life can come and hope can be restored. No situation is EVER hopeless for the Lord, and nothing is beyond His reach. Isaiah 43:19 says, ‘Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert’.

No matter how dry you may feel today, and no matter how void of hope your life or circumstances may seem to you, take heart! The same God who could bring forth water from a rock for the thirsty Israelites in the middle of the desert (Exodus 17:1-5), and the same God who could fill up a very dry valley with water to provide for the armies of Judah and Israel without a drop of rain falling (2 Kings 3:22), this same God can breathe life back into your heart, revive lost hope and make a way through impossible situations. Cling to Him and rest in His unfailing love. He is the Living Water!

‘There is none like God … Who rides through the heavens to your help and in His majestic glory through the skies. The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms’ (Deuteronomy 33:26-27).

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, that no situation is ever hopeless to You. Thank You that You can restore and heal the things we bring in surrender to You. Please help me to cling to You and to find my rest and comfort in You in every circumstance I may face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.