Isaiah 55:12-13…“Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” vs. 13
The myrtle is an evergreen broadleaf plant common to the Middle East and is known for its medicinal properties. Its white blossoms are large and showy and it has come to be a symbol of love and peace. Isaiah chose it to symbolize God’s faithfulness.
It’s wonderful to be able to see signs of God’s unconditional love in nature, and for many that’s exactly what the myrtle is. Year after year it returns from dormancy to bring fragrance and beauty to the barrenness of the landscape. For some the myrtle has an almost mythical standing as a symbol of God’s presence and providence. It is above all a sign of resurrection hope, a reminder that even in our bleak lives new life lurks, and God’s love will never be cut off.
Sometimes we forget that the plants surrounding us in this world have been around longer than we have. They’ve been our faithful companions, providing us with food, shelter, and medicine from the beginning. And more than that, they are one of the primary sources of beauty in our lives. Some wonder if we could even express love for one another without flowers or bouquets. Who does not enjoy wandering through arboretums or botanical gardens? It’s in the living plants that we see the fingerprints of God’s love most clearly.
Thought for the Day: What do gardens say to my spirit?
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