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There have been two great gardens. The first was Eden, where man rebelled against God. The second was Gethsemane, where Jesus submitted Himself to God for man.

Is this a haunting passage for you? It is appointed. Mark that word. Not by chance. Not by accident. It is appointed for men once to die. No one escapes it. No science delays it. No strength outruns it. The king on his throne, the beggar on the street, the infant in the cradle—all are subject to this solemn decree. And not only death, but judgment. A twofold appointment: once to die, then to be judged.

The work of the Spirit in producing fruit in us is never meant to be kept to ourselves. The Lord does not pour His oil into a vessel that it may remain full and stagnant, but that it may be poured out to others.

I’ve mentioned before that one of the practices I enjoy in the Word is to pick a topic or word and follow the thread of that topic through the Bible. Today’s word: bread. The story of God’s provision is written across the pages of Scripture, like a golden thread in a royal tapestry.

Jesus, the great Shepherd of souls, gave us a parable in Luke 18:1-8 that gives us one of the grandest lessons in the school of faith—namely, that we must pray persistently and never lose heart. He tells of a widow, helpless in the world’s eyes, who pleaded day and night with an unjust judge.