Daily Devotional for December 14, 2013

Proverbs 24:14
In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
    If you find it, you will have a bright future,
    and your hopes will not be cut short.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
There is a lot of information available about the healing qualities of honey.  Those who are especially interested in “natural healing” tout honey as something of a “wonder drug” for boosting your immune system, killing bacteria, and more.  So when I saw a recipe on Pinterest for an “all-natural” tea made with honey, lemon and ginger root that was supposed to soothe sore throats and colds, I decided to make some.
 

The recipe said to slice fresh lemons and grate fresh ginger root.  Layer both in a clean fruit jar.  Cover the lemon and ginger root with honey, screw on a lid, and set the jar in the refrigerator.  The honey will mix with the lemon oils and juices and the ginger flavoring over the next several days.  The recipe suggested that you spoon some of this mixture into a heat-proof container and add very hot water, let it “steep”, then strain the mixture into a mug... and enjoy!
 
Last week, a friend visited us who was nursing the remnants of a cold and cough.  I offered her some lemon-ginger tea, and she drank TWO cups!  She said it was delicious… and that it did seem to soothe her throat.  We all voiced a hope that her cold would soon be gone… and that the tea with honey would play a part in getting her well quickly!
 
Okay, so maybe that’s a stretch!  But the wisdom of God is like honey.  In fact, several translations of this passage actually refer to this sweet nectar by name.  When we fill our hearts and minds with God’s wisdom, we also fill ourselves with hope that He will meet our needs… heal our bodies and souls…and create a promising future for us!  Just like the simple, unadulterated recipe that soothes our scratchy sore throat, God’s wisdom can be a balm for our weary soul - and give us confidence and hope for the days ahead.  It’s really not that much of a far-fetched notion, after all!
 
So if you have a sore throat or a cold, try some lemon-ginger-honey tea!  If you need a hefty dose of hope and the promises of God… seek His wisdom.  Picture Him standing at the door to your heart, holding a steaming hot mug of His love, grace, mercy, power, understanding… and hope.  Now THAT’S a recipe worth sharing!
 
©2013 Debbie Robus