Series: Flowers in the Desert
*Psalm 55:22 ESV
Numbers 33:18-19 (Broom Tree in the wilderness)
Job 30:3-4 ESV
Psalm 120:1-4 ESV
I Kings 19:5-8 ESV
I Peter 5:6-11 ESV
Philippians 4:19 ESV
Psalm 46:1 ESV
There was a time before all the action and the hustle and bustle began when the dark and the light sat in silence. In the midst of the dark, there was breath and a word and there was peace.
Then there was a breath and a beautiful blue-white ball appeared by night with other lights and a burning ball lit up the sky by day.
And there was peace.
Step by step with each breath and each word, form took shape and following each change there was peace.
The steady strong breath gave a soft rhythm to it all and it carried each moment softly. The breath and the word continued and with each movement it generated new life. And there was peace.
Soon there was water gathered together and with the water came seeds and green growing sprouts of hope. On and on life emerged and breath beget breath with each word, and after each breath there was peace.
Then there was a gathering of hearts who sought to know more and to be known. As time went on many in the desert had gathered under trees. They were seeking peace and comfort in the wilderness. There was a village called Rithmah. In Hebrew that means “the place of the brooms” in the wilderness (Numbers 33:18-19). They rested there in the shade as they traveled to the land that had been promised. The creator and sustainer gave them rest under the tree.
And the sustainer of life promised care and sustenance to all from the word, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)
There was also a gathering of hearts of those who sought not to be known. They did not seek peace and comfort. They sought to elevate their own desires and comforts.
The sustainer of life promised care and sustenance to all who sought care and sustenance.
In the desert all the people found food the creator provided from a trees and plants.
Yet we are told in Job 30:3-4 even those who did not seek the creator sought what the creator provided, “Through want and hard hunger they gnaw the dry ground by night in waste and desolation; they pick saltwort and the leaves of bushes, and the roots of the broom tree for their food.” And the leaves and the root of the tree even gave them sustenance,
And the creator provided to all what was needed in the desert.
Even hot burning coals from the tree that would provide a warm fire was available to all…even to those who did not seek the creator. The fire was available to those who made evil plans against those who sought the creator. Psalm 120:1-4 reveals, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!”
The creator provided to all out of love for all.
In I Kings 19:5-8 we know the creator gave the Prophet Elijah rest after he confronted the prophets of Baal. The Prophet Elijah was called to stand alone against the 450 prophets of Baal, and the creator defeated the 450 prophets of Baal. Then, the Prophet Elijah went into the desert, “And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat. “And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”
And the prophet was restored by the creator.
And the sun rose and set and rose and set and the word of the creator reminded all who had ears to hear, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:6-7).
And there was peace.
And seasons came and went and the promise of care and sustenance was in all who sought the peace of the creator.
The creator knew all who wanted to be known. Being known was a choice. The creator doesn’t force peace on those who do not seek peace.
In Philippians 4:19 it is written, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
And the seasons of the tree came and went but the seeds of the tree were spread to create new trees. Through it all, the Creator, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
And in the dark of night under the stars…still today there is peace.
Spiritual Practice: Peace
Sit with Creator God and receive peace.
In God, Deborah
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