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THE SCENT OF WATER (JOB 14:7-9)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is the “scent of water.” Water sustains a colourless, transparent, odourless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is necessary for plant and animal survival. Job used the figure of speech known as anthropomorphism to describe how a tree comes back to life upon smelling the scent of water although fresh water does not have an odour or scent. Anthropomorphism is the figure of speech of giving human attributes to non-living things or nature. We shall reflect on the fact that just like dying trees upon smelling the scent of water come to life, we shall also be restored when we have faith in Christ.

Beloved in the Lod, Job made an important observation about nature and the life life-giving effect of water on a dying tree. He contrasted the predicament and fleeting nature of human life with that of a tree and concluded that at least a tree has hope of restoration upon smelling the scent of water. He observed that “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. 8 Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, 9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. Job 14:7-9) Beloved in the Lord, just as a tree has hope of restoration upon smelling the scent of water, we must also have hope of restoration and salvation through faith in Jesus the our living water. Hope is never lost when Jesus our living water flows into and through our lives. Jesus assured us that “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) Again in John 7: 37-39, Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. (John 7:37-39) Jesus is the giver of the living water is the source of the life-giving effect of the Holy Spirit at work in the life of the believer. Dear friend, allthough we may suffer and endure all the hardship accompanied by the fragility of the human body, we have hope in the existential restoration and eternal assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our everlasting source of Living Water. Beloved in the Lord, we are not alone, for we are greatly assured by Isaiah that “… those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31) Job lost his children and wealth and had to endure health challenges but in the end, he was restored by God because, even in his pains and frustrations, he remained hopeful. We may also be going through some burdensome challenges in our lives but like a tree, we are greatly encouraged to smell the scent of Jesus, the Living and efficacious water and we shall be restored and given hope for the future.

In summary, we have discovered that although we may be overwhelmed by the challenges of life, we are greatly encouraged to be like trees that are restored at the smell of the scent of water. Similarly, Jesus is our living water and we must always put our hope and faith in Him for our restoration and eternal life. Shalom.

PRAYER

Jesus our living water, in You, we put our hope and faith as trees, may we be restored and be saved through Your presence in our lives. Amen.