The Mines of King Solomon (part 21)

382 mines koenig salomos part 21"I'll park my car at your place," Tom said to the shopkeeper. "If I'm not back in eight weeks, I probably won't be alive." The shopkeeper looked at him as if he were a madman. "Eight weeks? You won't survive that for two weeks!” Tom Brown jun. is a passionate adventurer. His goal was to see if he could last that long in the desert of Death Valley - the deepest and driest area in North America and the hottest on earth. He later wrote about how the circumstances in the desert demanded more of him than he had ever experienced before. In his entire life he had never been so thirsty. Its main source of drinking water was dew. Every night he set up a device to catch the dew and by morning he had collected enough fresh water to drink. Tom soon lost his calendar bearings and after nine weeks he decided it was time to go home. He achieved his goal, but admits that without the presence of Tau, he would not have survived.

How often do you think of dew? If it's like me, not too often - unless you have to wipe the dew off your windshield in the morning! But dew is more than the precipitation on our car windows (or something that causes chaos on the cricket field)! He is a life giver. It refreshes, quenches thirst and invigorates. He turns fields into works of art.

During the summer holidays I spent many days with my family on a farm. Often we got up early and my father and I went hunting. I have never forgotten the freshness of the morning when the first rays of sunlight brought the dewdrops on the trees, grasses and plants like diamonds to glitter and sparkle. Spider web threads looked like jewel necklaces and the withered flowers of the previous day seemed to dance with new energy in the morning light.

Refreshing and refreshing

I didn't care about dew until recently through the words of Proverbs 19,12 was stimulated to think. “The king's displeasure is like the roar of a lion; but his grace is like dew on the grass."

What was my first reaction? “This saying doesn't apply to me. I'm not a king and I don't live under a king." After some thought, something else came to mind. It is not difficult to see how a king's displeasure or irritation can be compared to a lion's roar. Drawing the ire of people (especially those in authority) can be terrifying - not unlike encountering an angry lion. But how about grace like dew on the grass? In the writings of the prophet Micah we read of certain people who had shown themselves faithful to God. They will be "like dew from the Lord, like rain on the grass" (Mic 5,6).

Their influence among the people around them was refreshing and renewing like the effect of dew and rain on the vegetation. Likewise, you and I are God's dew in the lives of those with whom we are in contact. Just as a plant absorbs life-giving dew through its leaves - and makes it bloom - we are God's method of bringing divine life into the world (1. John 4,17). God is the source of dew (Hosea 14,6) and he has chosen you and me as distributors.

How can we be God's dew in other people's lives? An alternate translation of Proverbs 19,12 helps further: "An angry king is as fearsome as a roaring lion, but his kindness is like the dew on the grass" (NCV). Kind words can be like dewdrops that cling to people and give life (5. Mon 32,2). Sometimes all it takes is a little hand-out, a smile, a hug, a touch, a thumbs-up or a nod of agreement to refresh and revitalize someone. We can also pray for others and share with them the hope we have for them. We are God's tools for His presence at work, in our families, in our churches - and in play. My friend Jack recently told me the following story:

“It's been about three years since I joined our local bowling club. Most players arrive at 13pm and the game starts about 40 minutes later. During this transitional period, the players sit and talk, but for the first few years I chose to stay in my car and do a little Bible study. As soon as the players took their balls, I wanted to come over and go to the bowling green. A few months ago I decided to do something for the club instead of studying. I was looking for a field of activity and found a job in the bar area. Dozens of glasses had to be taken out of the sink and placed in the serving hatch; water, ice and cold drinks as well as beer are provided in the club room. It took about half an hour, but I really enjoyed the job. Bowling greens are places where you can make or end a friendship. To my regret, a gentleman and I bumped our heads so we kept our distance afterwards. Anyway, you can imagine how surprised and, above all, delighted I was when he came up to me and said: 'Your presence makes a huge difference to the club!'”

Just ordinary people

It can be so simple and yet so meaningful. Like the morning dew on our lawn. We can quietly and kindly make a difference in the lives of those with whom we come in contact. Never underestimate the impact you make. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled 120 believers. They were just ordinary people like you and me and yet it was the same people who later "turned the world upside down". Less than two hundred dewdrops wet the whole world.

There is another perspective on this saying. When you are in a position of authority, it is important to consider what your words and actions will do in your subordinates. An employer should be kind, kind, and fair (Proverbs 20,28). A husband should never treat his wife roughly. (Colossians 3,19) and parents should avoid discouraging their children by being overly critical or bossy (Colossians 3,21). Instead, be like the dew - thirst-quenching and refreshing. Let the beauty of God's love be reflected in your lifestyle.

A thought at the end. Tau fulfills its purpose - refreshes, beautifies and donates life. But a dewdrop does not sweat trying to become one! You are God's Dew by simply being in Jesus Christ. This is not about projects and strategies. It's spontaneous, it's natural. The Holy Spirit creates the life of Jesus in our lives. Pray for his life to flow through you. Just be yourself - a small drop of dew.    

by Gordon Green


pdfThe Mines of King Solomon (part 21)