A New Year's Promise and Prayer
Barefooted, they walked on the sandy beach looking for brown treasures in their closed chests. Quick feet paired with hungry mouths and eager fingers placed the dried almonds to their ears and shook them. They were checking to see if they had something valuable or "chaff." Others bored with the dried ones rushed to grab the ripened fruit that had fallen from the tree limbs above their heads. The more adventurous nimbly climbed the robust trees to handpick all the fragrant dainties they desired!
Almonds are tasty, nutritious, and comforting. They add satiety to our diet, but only after a substantial meal. You may ask "Why the fixation on almonds?" In the Old Testament, within the first part of the sanctuary known as the Holy Place, almonds are mentioned numerous times in the creation of the menorah, the seven-part candlestick:
And he made the candlestick of pure gold:of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:
"Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick."
Exodus 37:17; Exodus 37:19; Exodus 37:20; Exodus 25:33; Exodus 25:34.
"Why does God seem fixated on almonds?" "Why not another fruit?" I have asked myself countless times. Could it be because the tree fruits generously? Maybe the flowers are so aesthetically gorgeous? Is it because every part of the tree is useful for something good? I am still gleaning the beautiful object lessons of the almond.
Today let's look at the golden candlestick, just a little. I hope you will be encouraged to live out God's purpose for you. Read Almond Heaven!
The golden candlestick was designed and fashioned to loosely represent an almond tree: "Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower;" The Hebrew word for "almond" is shaqed (שָׁקֵד), which comes from the root word shaqad (שָׁקַד) that means to "watch" or "wake". Other meanings include to hold vigil, awake, to be alert, to be watchful over, and to wake (as mourner or sufferer).
The almond tree is the first "to awaken" after a long hard Israeli winter. As spring's reigning forerunner it races all other plants to tell the gospel of the risen Christ:
It doesn't start in the past where Christ was born; nor does it tarry in the life He lived for us to pattern. It doesn't mournfully pause on the story of His crucifixion when He laid down His life so that we would not perish but have everlasting life. The gospel story the resurrected almond tells is that Christ is no longer dead but He is risen and alive forever! How so?
Many years after His death and resurrection, John on the Isle of Patmos encountered Him more profoundly. He is the one who walks among the candlesticks in the book of Revelation, chapter 1:12 &13:
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw
seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot,
and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
I am greatly comforted to know that God is watchful over His people. Unlike "Santa Satan", He is watching to make sure we are safe and out of harm's way. He is not watching to see if we are "naughty or nice". He expects us to be lovingly obedient to stay within the boundaries of His care, but He has assured us that just in case you or
I find ourselves in difficult circumstances, He is never far away. He is protectively watchful, ready to step in when we need Him the most. Ponder the words from a beautiful stanza of a song that is very dear to my heart.
Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet the truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold, And upon the throne be wrong;
Yet that scaffold sways the future, And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow, Keeping watch above His own.
As we enter another year, a New Year, I pray that even more than we hunger for and pursue the things we cherish; even more than we publicize the things of which we are most proud,... may we use our influence to shout, "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalms 34:8. Remember to be watchful... be more grateful this year.
A Promise and a Prayer
Friend, are you a sufferer, a sinner, a saint? God is keeping watch over you. Be encouraged. Awake with hope! Christ is coming, and the death toll of winter sins or sadness has no power over the righteous: those who love and honor God. Be confident! You are more than a conqueror when you permanently lean on Christ's side. He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. When you feel alone...He is always there.
Psalms 116:12,13
Taste. Enjoy! Respond. Like! Share. Be encouraged!
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