7 “For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that its tender shoots will not cease.
8 Though its root may grow old in the earth,
And its stump may die in the ground,
9 Yet at the scent of water it will bud
And bring forth branches like a plant.

Even though I have cut down the dead tree which had been strangled by the ivy, I am using all of the wood to rebuild. The ivy comes in handy to bind branches together and I am trying to reuse everything that has been cut down. What a wonderful material that it grows and we can use it to build and to live. God designed this so that we would have a world that we could explore.

The rain is overwhelming at the moment and I have worries that the wattle and daube fences will be washed away, but I know I can rebuild.

The scent of water that Job talks about reminds me of the Holy Spirit. How I yearn for the Spirit’s presence in my life in every way. I know that the more the Spirit is within me the more that I shall be able to demonstrate God’s work and use it to help others.

The hope of God helps us the rise above our daily troubles. Sin can dig in deep and literally be imbedded within our lives. But praying in the Spirit can help us to rip this sin off so that we can carry on. But be warned that it will require a change of life – much of our old self may have to be removed.

Jesus was cut down and people at the time thought they had won. But the shoots have grown, we are the shoots and we must bear fruit and be like our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, thank you for the rain from heaven, thank you for the Spirit that refills us and keeps us strong in your presence,

Amen