下載應用程序Our Daily Bread: Light in a Pandemic預覽
Hope Blossoms
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. -Isaiah 35:1
In the city of Philadelphia, when weedy vacant lots were cleaned up and brightened with beautiful flowers and trees, nearby residents also brightened in overall mental health. This proved especially true for those who struggled economically.
“There’s a growing body of evidence that green space can have an impact on mental health,” said Dr. Eugenia South, “and that’s particularly important for people living in poorer neighborhoods.” South, a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, is coauthor of a study on the subject.
The downtrodden people of Israel and Judah found fresh hope in the prophet Isaiah’s vision of their beautiful restoration by God. Amid all the doom and judgment Isaiah foretold, this bright promise took root: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy” (Isaiah 35:1–2).
No matter our situation today, we too can rejoice in the beautiful ways our heavenly Father restores us with fresh hope, including through His creation. When we feel down, reflecting on His glory and splendor will bolster us. “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way,” Isaiah encouraged (v. 3). Can a few flowers rekindle our hope? A prophet said yes. So does our hope-giving God.
Patricia Raybon
What is your hope in God today?
關於此計劃
In the midst of a dark and trying year, we’ve had a hope and light to guide us through. That light is the presence of God illuminated through His Word, even for those disproportionately affected by the pandemic and those who serve on the frontlines. This 20-day journey is full of devotional articles and reflections that will remind you of God’s presence and faithfulness in times of struggle.
More
