Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Psalm 96:12

First the peaches—fuzzy and firm—to be plucked from the branches. Then the blueberries blanketing the bushes plump and blue. Tomatoes—rich and red— dangling from leafy stalks, poised to be picked. White fields of wheat softly swaying in the afternoon breeze, ripe for the harvest and ready to be gleaned. Finally, heavy clusters of deep purple grapes clinging to the vine, bursting with sweet juices to brighten the eyes. 

Our Heavenly Father covered the earth with every sort of seed-bearing plant and trees that grow with seed-bearing fruit (Genesis 1:11-12). Everything was given as food for the animals and people he created (Genesis 1:29-30, 2:15-16). Our Father also gives us Jesus, the new Branch, bearing the Spirit’s abundant fruit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-3). Jesus calls his followers to stay attached to him that we too might bear spiritual fruit in our lives (John 15:4).

Pause and take time to browse a vegetable garden, a fruit orchard, or the produce aisle in the grocery store. Consider the variety of colors, textures, scents, and flavors. Notice the assortment of roots, gourds, berries, fruits, nuts, and leafy greens. What might our Father be speaking to you in this moment? 

Praise our Heavenly Father for the delightful foods he’s given us to eat. Praise him for his Son, Jesus, the Branch that gives us life. 

Pray.

Heavenly Father,
You are the Crop Planter.
Let my praises reach the skies and testify of your glory.
Amen.

For the story behind Praise: Proclaiming the Glory of God, visit the first blog in the Praise series.

If you’d like to see all the books currently available in my Be Still series, visit my Be Still page.

All the books in the Be Still series are available on Amazon. Visit my author page Jill English Johnston.

Grace and Peace