Listen

They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the Lord to glorify himself. They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore formerly deserted places; they will renew ruined cities, places deserted in generations past.

Isaiah 61:3b-4

Think

We have been planted by God to glorify God. Planted by the Lord! I do not have a green thumb. I’ve killed every houseplant I’ve owned; however, my friend Nick has a marvelously green thumb. Originally, his yard was a barren wasteland. Within a couple of years, it became a Garden of Eatin’ with apple and pear trees, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries … in abundance.

We have been planted by the Lord. As we bloom, grow, and bear fruit, we are to glorify God. How? Isaiah says we are to rebuild, restore, and renew.

As my friend Nick knows, growing takes the right environment and time. We can cultivate our environment by Bible study, prayer, church attendance, fellowship groups, and other ways. We can cultivate our habits to incline us in the patterns of rebuilding, restoring, and renewing — first in small ways, then more.

We are to bring glory to God and display God’s glory. Whether we’re at school, at home, or at work, we can bear God’s fruit: glorious love, mercy, reconciliation, and new life.

Gail Jackins

Pray

Glorious God, help me grow the fruit you planted in me. May I be a bountiful garden for you. Thank you for using me to rebuild, restore, and renew your creation around me. Amen.

Go

Let’s put our love into action.

“They’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

Peter Scholtes, “They’ll Know We Are Christians,” 1966