“May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame.” Psalm 119:80
Jericho is a city rich in history and beauty. Located in the Jordan Valley, it sits at an altitude of 250 meters below sea level, making it one of the lowest cities on Earth. The city has been inhabited for over 10,000 years and has seen many civilizations come and go. The city’s lush vegetation makes it a sight to behold. Palm trees sway gently in the breeze as colorful flowers bloom all around. The fruit trees are abundant with oranges, lemons, limes, figs, and pomegranates.
Jericho is known for its natural springs producing cold and refreshing weather. Despite being surrounded by desert landscapes, Jericho retains its charm with its stunning architecture reminiscent of ancient times. Jericho also had an illustrious past. The Israelite spies visited the initial city when they began to survey the land of promise. It was also the first city conquered by the Israelites when its walls collapsed as the priests and people of Israel encircled them.
1 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes; rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Despite the beauty of Jericho, the people residing in Jericho were dissatisfied because there were waters of sin, sickness, miscarriages, and death. In 2 Kings 2:19-22, we see that the city’s water was contaminated and causing harm to its inhabitants. This serves as a reminder that even in the midst of beauty, there can be hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface. Therefore, it is important to recognize that not everything is as it seems, just like some people may appear beautiful on the outside but have struggles and pain.
We should never judge someone based solely on their appearance or what we see on social media. There may be underlying issues they are dealing with that we are not aware of. Life is full of surprises; sometimes, things don’t always go as planned. However, As Elisha proceeded to cast salt into the water and miraculously healed it, may your life transform. Just like Elisha transformed the bitter water into something sweet, you too can transform your struggles into something beautiful. It may not happen overnight, but with time and patience, you will see progress. Psalm 30:5 (b) says, “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Amen.
Prayer:
May the LORD hold you as a crown of glory and a royal diadem in His palm. Your old names, the forsaken city, and the desolate land will never be used again. Instead, you shall be known as The City of God’s Delight and The Bride of God. The Lord takes pleasure in you and will take you as His bride in the name of Jesus. (Isaiah 62:3-4) Amen.
