On 25 February BCLM had an outing, Rhapsody @ Botanic Gardens. We had good fellowship in the Lord and got to know God’s creation better. We learnt of some leaves that can be used to wrap food – Simpo Air (Dillenia Suffruticosa), different types of Heliconia, and that 4 saga seeds weigh exactly 1 gram. The visit to Botanic Gardens reminds me of a passage I read, Isa 41:17-20 and which I shared during 8 March Prayer service.
Imagine you are very thirsty, the tongue is parched and you “seek water and there is none” (Isa 41:17). What does the Lord do when we call out to Him? Yes, He will answer.
I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water – Isa 41:18
Is that all? No, He will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. In addition, God says, “I will set in the desert the cypress, the fir and the pine together.” (v. 19). In other words, God gives a forest, with a variety of trees for different needs!
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 Cedar: evergreen, grows fast Used in ship and temple building (Solomon) |
 Acasia: fast grower; leaves used to feed livestock; wood is good and strong; also for fragrance |
 Myrtle: waxy surface Leaves are aromatic; used for cooking. Also for bridal bouquets |
 Olive: drought and fire resistant; fruitful after hundreds of years; olive oil |
 Pine: grows well in dry soil Pine nuts – edible; wood for indoor use. Burns well |
 Cypress: reach up to 20m Durable wood; Windbreaker e.g. planted around orchards |
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Why? That we may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it (v. 20).
If we may extend the idea of variety further, we may ask, “Which tree characterised us, our SG members?” Then using our gifts, we could serve the Body of Christ, the community and world at large. And, so that we may know Him better and make Him known!
Deaconess Dr Ler Soon Lay
