The Cottonwood
Posted in Daily Focus on Wednesday, December 11, 2013
"For I am the LORD, I change not" (Malachi 3:6a).
The enormous cottonwood tree had stood for years outside the upstairs bedroom window of our farmhouse. As a young girl, I grew up playing in its branches and hiding behind its trunk during games of hide and seek. Its shade covered and cooled our house in the summer, and its branches protected us from the fierce north winds of winter. Now, as an adult, I looked out the same window and watched as my young daughters played the same childhood games during recess from homeschooling. A third generation had come to this farm home, and somehow the cottonwood had remained the same — strong, protective, and majestic.
Very few things remain the same during one's lifetime. Perhaps that is why we feel insecure and uncertain many times. As Christians, however, we can find comfort in knowing, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). No matter what difficulties we face or what changes may come, God's constant and faithful love will never be different than it is today. We can always depend on the promises of His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our lives.
What things in life are you counting on to always be around — a loved one, your money, your health, your children, a home? My old farmhouse is now torn down, my children are grown and have moved away, and the cottonwood is no more. The most important homeschool lesson has taken 25 years for me to learn — the only thing that will ever remain the same is the Lord. "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end" (Psalm 102:25-27).
Father God, I stand before You with thanksgiving and awe for being such a great and mighty God. Thank You for being the one thing in life on which I can always depend. I give You my worship and praise today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(7 comments)
CHERRY B 12/11/2008 07:37:12
My childhood was probably the complete opposite of that described in this devotion. For many years throughout my childhood and into my adult life, I walked through life as though always prepared for the next blow. Change was the rule of the day. Stability was nonexistent. I stand in awe of how the Lord has used the beauty of Romans 8:28! One of the ways He has turned what the enemy intended for evil into something very good is that I never developed a false reliance on what the world calls "stability." I know all too well that evil can happen. I know all too well that people, myself included, cannot be relied upon in the way I can rely upon the Lord. I know all too well that one day we hold a loved one in our arms and the next day they are gone. None of this is spoken with bitterness. Rather, I am amazed at how thoroughly I enjoy the life the Lord has given me even though I know that it will change...sometimes without warning. Although I do have weaker moments, I walk in the Lord's peace because I know He will never change and He alone is where I can put my trust.
Thank you for such an excellent devotion this morning!
God Bless!
LYNDA B 12/11/2008 07:39:52
This is a wonderful devotion, amen in Jesus name
ELISHA H 12/11/2010 04:13:04
This devotion is a blessing and a good reminder to listen to and stsy intune with the Lord Jesus Christ and allow His Holy Spirit to lead our lives! Thank you.
CHRISTINE K 12/11/2010 10:02:05
This feeling of change heading into the future has been on my mind lately with two children grown and my last being 13 already,the years are flying by...
Thanks for the reminder that I am not alone.
Blessings!
CYNTHIA O 12/11/2011 05:42:21
This was an excellent devotional. It is comforting in knowing of His steadfastness and mercy for us. Thank you for providing this support.
And Cherry B...well written!
SARA C 12/11/2011 06:41:36
This was a reflective devotion. And Cherry B, I couldn\'t have said it better myself. As a child I too had instability and God taught me early that my stability comes from Him. I am thankful for the life I have been given and for those special individuals like my grandma who taught me to rely on God, not by words but by living it, Grandma really lived it.
MARIA B 12/11/2012 04:53:49
I am so blessed each morning waking up to these wonderful devotions. I try to remember them as I teach each afternoon when I pick up my son from traditional public school, where he takes electives. Thank you so very much.