“Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.…Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food.”
Genesis 1:11-12; 2:9 NIV
I’m Thankful For Trees because trees produce apples and, apples are my favorite snack; next to licorice, jujubes and dark chocolate.
When I was a kid I could eat a whole bag of Macintosh apples after school. It was hard to keep enough apples around for me. If we didn’t move so often my parents could’ve planted an apple tree and saved some money!
Trees Are For Beauty
Genesis starts off telling us trees are for beauty. There is no more beautiful a scenery, none more, “pleasing to the sight” than an autumn forest. Trees provide shade from the beating sun. The leaves and bark trap airborne toxins and purify them; filtering out the carbon, producing clean oxygen for us to breathe. Their fruit produces food for people, birds and animals.
Isaiah talks about how God created trees to be cut down to provide wood for us to make furniture and provide fuel for fire. Fire from wood produces heat to keep us warm, drawing friends together while it cooks our food. Trees are visual reminders of the changing seasons. I hope you re-read this paragraph and think of all the ways God provides for us, just through trees. I pray you never look at trees the same again. 1
I believe God gave us trees as a picture revealing truth about His character and how He is our provider. Click To TweetSo get outside and enjoy the colorful fall trees. Break out the camera and take some photos of the changing leaves. Warm yourself by a campfire and enjoy the heat while you visit with friends eating s’mores. Know that God created these majestic creations for your use. Be careful not to worship them or place them in greater value than God says, but always remember to stay, Thankful For Trees!
Prayer
Father…Thank You the trees. Help me to never overlook them again, but view them as reminders that You are my provider. Your provision is constant like the fruit of a tree. Help me to live thankful for You and Thankful For Trees. In Jesus Name…Amen
- Genesis 1:11-12, 2
- Isaiah 44:4, 14-15
- Isaiah 60:13
- Psalm 52:8
If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
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Beautiful! God could have just had the leaves fall off the trees — He didn’t have to make it so glorious, but He did! And I see in that an affirmation of beauty and an encouragement to join God in creating beauty wherever I can! Thanks, Sherry, for the good thoughts today!
Michele,
I so agree. In my short Soul H2O Devos I didn’t even get to delve into that. Just a few sentences to get readers thinking. I’m glad it set your thoughts on the right path. God is beauty. Ps 27:4 He is glorious and His world really is a display of His splendour (not sure if you spell that the same in the US?). Love the way your mind thinks 🙂 Have a blessed day!
~Sherry
xoxo
I love the trees too Sherry. Especially this time of year with all of pops of color the leaves give. It’s amazing that we can be surrounded by something and never think about it’s significance. The trees really do provide and protect don’t they? Thank you for the reminder to be thankful for all of the ways God protects and provides for us through the trees.
Kelly,
We have so many ‘hints’ in this world to the provision and protection of God. If only we could stay alert to all of them, at all times…maybe we wouldn’t fear so much 🙂 Have a blessed day!
~Sherry
xoxo
Thank you for sharing good reminders of God’s great provision to us through trees. Autumn is my favorite season, and I love seeing God’s glory in all the beautiful colors!
Thanks for your comment Sarah. I was just on your site and enjoyed your post. Hope you get some time this weekend to take in God’s glory in the beautiful trees. Have a blessed day!
~Sherry
xoxo
And healthy, well-rooted, deep-rooted trees bear much fruit!
So true Susan! Thanks for stopping by.
~Sherry
xoxo
I never thought about that before, but you are right, trees are a perfect example of how God continually provides for us.
I don’t think I’ll ever look at a tree the same way again. 🙂
Blessings,
Karen,
I am so glad to read your comment. Whenever I write I’m praying for my readers. WhenI was writing that devotion I wrote and prayed that people really wouldn’t be able to look at trees the same way again. You’re an answer to my prayers 🙂 Have a blessed wekend.
~Sherry
xoxo
Sherry, you had me at Macintosh apples … my favorites! We have a weeping willow in our backyard that has amazed us. It has grown so fast that my husband worried that it would cause problems to our fence so he had a tree doctor come look at it. The specialist said it had grown so fast it had “stretch marks.” I didn’t know a tree could get them! We may have to take it down in a few years and that will be heartbreaking for me. I’m determined to enjoy it until then.
Donna, so crazy! I didn’t know trees could get stretch marks either. Who knew??? Glad you enjoyed the devotion and pray it changes the way you look at trees. Enjoy that beautiful willow tree. Those are my favourite trees.
Much love,
~Sherry
xoxo