When we were growing up, I learned a lot from Dad. One thing he taught us was where to find honey. Dad had a knack about him in that he knew how to find things we needed. We always had fresh milk. There was always sassafras to make tea out of. And, there was always fresh honey in the comb, strained so that we had it for a sweetener.
It was always a treat to go with Dad to find things in the woods. Once, Dad found a tree that had been knocked over; inside it was a huge bee hive. We took saws back with us to cut the side of the tree so we could open it and get the honey out. We carried a big washtub back with us and filled it with fresh honey. We carefully put all of the pieces of the tree back together so the hive was safe. What I didn’t know about it was that the bees themselves would seal that chunk back up with wax.
Each year, we returned to that same tree and opened it up to get fresh honey again.
Sweet as honey
“2 Peter 2:
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
Just like that honey gave us energy and was a treat to have, so is Jesus. We used that honey in medicine and Mom used it for cooking. We even chewed the comb like gum!
Jesus gives us strength and provides us with spiritual food. The Word of God gives us something to “chew on.”
Just like the honey tree, we can always go back to the Word of God to get fresh blessings daily and be renewed. everyday. One thing about that old tree: it was blown over and the leaves were gone, but it still gave us fresh honey each time we went back.
It’s the same with the Word of God: it’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. No matter how often you go back, there is a blessing waiting.
Honey doesn’t go bad
Did you know that, if you put honey in a container, it doesn’t go bad?
If you let the Word of God sit on your shelf, it also doesn’t go bad.
Honey, if it turns to sugar, can be heated up and it turns back to honey. Gods Word will warm you up and turn your hard heart soft and pliable.
Open eyes
“1 Samuel 14:27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.”
When Jonathan was fighting the battle, his eyes were enlightened and he was refreshed when he tasted the honey. Theres also fresh energy we get from what God gives us. There is enlightenment in the gifts of God our eyes can be opened to all kinds of blessing when we reach and take some. Don’t walk away when you’re getting tired: open your eyes and take the blessing God has for you!
Samson
“Judges 14:
8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.
9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.”
When Samson went back to one of his previous successes (the one over the lion), he received another blessing. We, too, can be encouraged and strengthened from our former victories. We shouldn’t dwell on the bad things from our past, but look forward in victory in God. Remember the times you were sick and then healed, the times you were downhearted and God lifts you up, or the times you felt like you were in the desert, but God brought you through it.
I have a lot of sweet memories with to cherish. IT reminds me of how blessed I am, and how God was there at every turn waiting with a “honey tree.” There might be one waiting on you too: all you have to do is take some to be refreshed
One last thought
I am very allergic to bees stings. I swell up really bad, but of all of the times we went back to that tree, I can’t remember getting stung — not even once. And, we didn’t wear any kind of protective clothing. The only thing I can think of is that my Heavenly Father must have been watching over me.
May God Bless you and refresh you in your walk!