Old Fruit

by Winsome Smith

“What is it?” I was asked this question more than once, but I wasn’t quite sure. Each person at the table held an object in her hand, and the challenge was to study the object and then write about it. Some took a quick glance at what they held and quickly picked up a pen to write. Other faces stared in bewilderment, searching for an idea or connection between the object and the events of the day.

I looked again at the object in my hand. I had been handed an envelope with a thin, flat slice of dried citrus, but was it from an orange, a tangerine, or a lemon? It was dehydrated, scentless, and the seeds had been sliced through, making them useless.. Once edible, it certainly wasn’t anything I’d want to eat now!

I thought of the other fruit I’d seen this week, platters nearly overflowing with melon, grapes, and strawberries, as well as bowls filled with apples and oranges. One could have a pleasant snack, or even make an entire meal of the fruit. If I were to offer fruit to a friend, I’d far rather offer that platter of fresh fruit, in season. In fact, I’d not offer that slice of citrus to anyone, friend or enemy.

I wonder, though, how often I offer God a plate of old fruit. Praise is compared to the fruit of our lips. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15). Is my praise fresh, or is it old and dry, almost unidentifiable as praise? Can I see where God is at work in and around me? Will I praise Him even in the hard times? God has been faithful and good, and His love never fails. I want to offer Him a platter overflowing with fresh fruit fit for a King, praise for who He is and what He has done in my life!

Prayer: God, You have been so good to me! Like a shepherd You have led me step by step. Your goodness and mercy is new each morning. Your faithfulness amazes me. Help me praise You with the fruit of my lips today, and may it be fresh fruit! Amen.

Suggested Scripture Reading: Psalm 100
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20100&version=31

About the Author: This devotional was written by Winsome Smith. Read more about Winsome: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/winsome-smith/

Going Deeper
1. Comment on the devotional blog. Interact with others who are reading today’s devotional. Visit http://talk.thelife.com/ and double click on “Comment” (just under the devotional title). 
2. Related article:  “Praise: recounting God’s work” http://www.christianwomentoday.com/devotionals/daily/2754.html

Copyright
This devotional is protected by copyright laws and may not be reprinted or posted to a site without permission from TruthMedia Internet Group. All readers are welcome to forward the devotional to a friend or link to it. If you would like to seek permission to reprint the devotional in full, please see our guidelines:
http://talk.thelife.com/reprint-permission/

TweetEmailPrint