"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)

"You will be like a well-watered garden…" This phrase caught my attention since I just put away my canning and freezing equipment for the season. What are the signs of a well-watered garden? What are its benefits? How does this relate to us?

This year our garden was "well-watered" and it produced amazingly! Although our garden is small compared to many in the farming community in which we live, it produced an abundance tomatoes and beans and corn and peppers. In fact, we finally pulled up pepper plants because they were still blooming—still producing! This is the sign of a well-watered garden.

Our pantry is filled with canned vegetables—tomatoes and beans and sauces and such. Our freezer is packed with freshly frozen vegetables for our family, friends, and guests—anyone who eats from our table to enjoy throughout the cold winter months. The benefits of a well-watered garden will continue to bless us for a long time to come—at least until next years' crop is ready for harvest.

But let's think beyond the obvious … a well-watered life will produce fruit. Not just some fruit, but abundant fruit—fruit that will be a blessing not only to the individual but to those whose live he touches.

The Bible tells us that the Church is made clean by the "washing with water by the Word" (see Ephesians 6:26). The Word is the water that cleanses—the Living Word, Jesus Christ, is the "water" that enables us to bear fruit. We have the ability to bear abundant fruit as our hearts are transformed by the power of the Living Word.

Be that "well-watered" garden, not only today but every day. Start your day with the Word…with Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Meet with Him and learn from Him in greater measure each new day. You, too, will become a well-watered garden that produces abundant fruit to the glory of God.

Father, I long to be like that well-watered garden, producing fruit fit for my King. Cleanse me, wash me, purge me, and water me through Your Word. Remind me each morning to meet with the Living Word and learn from Him so that my life will produce abundant fruit that You might be glorified. In Jesus' name, amen.

"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:8)

© Jan Ross
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