The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people…” vs. 20
Isaiah 43:19b-21
The Israelites lived in a land where the seasonal rains were crucial for their survival. Twice a year the heavens would open and the land would be watered and crops could be planted and harvested. But it wasn’t only the people who needed the rains – animals too depended on the rainfall and the accumulation of the water in the springs and pools. Naturally this dependency was reflected in the prayers offered in the temple, and we see many references to God’s gracious providence in the psalms.
Water has continued to be a big deal for the people of God through the years. Sometimes too much comes at one time and we’re forced to take refuge from the floods. Often it seems as though the clouds have dried up and drought depletes our harvest – in these latter days we’ve been especially conscious of our drying forestlands and the resulting massive fires. We’ve been forced to take a hard look at our water use and be attentive to the damage being done to our environment through careless consumption. From the beginning humans have been charged with the stewardship of the natural world, and when we are negligent in our caretaking, all creatures suffer, even the jackals and the ostriches.
Thought for the Day: How can I be a better water conservationist?
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