23On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. Ezekiel 17:23
Like many people my age I look forward every year to having a productive garden. I grew up in a small town and it seemed like everyone there had a nice garden. My parents were no different, and what I learned from them just stuck with me. There are many health benefits and great joy in serving fresh vegetables from the garden. Sometimes though, despite my best efforts, my garden is far from majestic. However, what God plants is always majestic and productive.
So, what did God plant on that mountain height of Israel? God planted his plan of salvation on that hill in Jerusalem when Jesus died on the tree of the cross for the sins of all people.
However, that tree did not die because Jesus did not stay dead. He rose from the dead. The tree planted on the hill of Calvary continues to give life to the world today. It is alive as our faith in Jesus as our Savior grows each day. It grows as we share the love of Jesus with others. It grows through the ministry of many churches that are reaching out to the troubled people of the world and as God delivers these people from the treachery of addiction, homelessness, and despair. It truly is a majestic sight what God has done!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for your majestic plan of salvation for all people of the world. We pray that we would not stand in the way of your plan but be productive workers in sharing your plan with all people. We pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Contributed by Paul Obermann