Jonathan Moore
Joshua 15:18-19
When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What’s the matter?” She said, “Give me another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev; now please give me springs of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.
Acsah given in marriage to Othniel as reward for him capturing Kireath-sepher, asks her father for land, but then asks him for water rights as well. Is she being pushy or is she demonstrating true faith? Is salvation enough for us? Or is there a need for more?
The springs of water symbolize the Holy Spirit, the necessary power source to bring life to the desert and fruifulness to Caleb's land-grant. The Spirit is what we, as believers, need to make us power-filled, resourced, and fruitful in our everyday lives. Ask our Heavenly Father for 'springs of living water'!
Prayer from First Presbyterian Church Grenada Heavenly Father, we know that wind, water, rain , sleet and snow àre yours. This Sabbath we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your protection and grace.
We pray you will place Your mighty hand over this storm and calm its force. Shield us from the fury of the wind, rain, snow and ice. Care for those in the grip of the storm and keep them from harm. We pray for the safety of every person, home, and community at risk. We lift up all rescue workers, police, firefighters, and utility crews, asking for clear minds, steady hands, and safe passage as they heroically assist others in dangerous situations. Calm the anxious thoughts and steady the restless hearts of those filled with fear. Remind them of Your constant presence, that even when life seems dark and stormy, You are with us, guiding us to safety. In the wake of the storm, we pray for swift recovery and restoration. Provide essentials like water, food, and adequate shelter, and inspire communities to come together in support and care for one another.
We trust in Your unfailing love and mercy, knowing You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We pray in Jesus Name. Amen
🍃 Parable: The Tree That Wouldn’t Hurry
There was once a young tree planted at the edge of a meadow. Every morning it watched the birds fly, the rabbits race, and the wind rush past. Everything around it seemed to move quickly, and the little tree wished it could grow just as fast.
“Why am I still so small?” it wondered. “I want to be tall now. I want to give shade now. I want to bear fruit now.”
One day, the tree complained to the old oak standing nearby.
The oak replied, “Little one, the fastest things in this meadow are also the ones that disappear the quickest. The wind rushes by and is gone. The rabbits sprint and vanish into the brush. But the things that last—the things that bless others—take time.”
The young tree sighed. “But waiting feels like nothing is happening.”
The oak gently answered, “Ah, but that’s when the most important things are happening. Roots grow in the dark. Strength forms in silence. What God is building in you cannot be rushed.”
Years passed. Storms came. Droughts came. Still the tree stood, slowly growing, slowly strengthening.
And one summer morning, without even noticing when it began, the tree found itself tall enough to shelter the meadow creatures from the heat. Birds nested in its branches. Travelers rested in its shade. Children laughed beneath it.
Only then did the tree understand:
The waiting was not wasted. The waiting was the work. And God had been growing it all along.