Ever Green

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"O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me." (NLT)


I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."(NIV)


It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.(ESV)

It's been there all along but I'd never noticed this verse in Hosea 14:8, but; now that I'd seen it, my eyes were opened!

'Tis the season of evergreens!
They stand full and proud while their deciduous counterparts are stark barren sticks.
We're bringing their beauty and fresh smell into our homes to stand in places of prominence.

The tradition of decorating evergreens is centuries old; however, I couldn't find an explanation as to why this particular tree - until I saw it here - in Scripture.

God's faithfulness is likened to an ever green tree - constant, unchanging.(Malachi 3:6)

What better symbol to connect the manger and the Cross and His constant grace into our lives thousands of years after those events?

Do you also see the admonition there, to stay away from idols because it is God who takes care of us? If we have Him we are in need of nothing. (Psalm 23:1)

In this time of love and giving,(and materialism and greed), as we hang our wreaths, decorate trees and let the crisp scent awaken our senses; let us remember that it He who cares for us, He who meets our every need.

God who is always faithful, ever green.

Comments

Unknown said…
I've never noticed this verse either, but what a beautiful connection and reflection for this season. And I love these words, "God who is always faithful, ever green."
Many blessings, Becky!
November 29, 2011 at 5:44 PM
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