Issue 1785 – Fire – August 8, 2025
It’s forest fire season. Fires are burning all across Canada and many other places in the world as well.
One of the first plants to return after a fire is fireweed. This prolific and beautiful plant colonizes areas where the soil has been disturbed. It usually reaches its peak in about five years before being slowly choked out by the return of other grasses, shrubs, and trees.
Fireweed is prized for its beauty and its medicinal qualities. The raw stem is used by some people groups to treat infection. The young leaves can be eaten as greens. The flowers are often used to make jelly. The older, mature leaves are dried to create a form of tea. The roots can be roasted and eaten.
Fireweed is a crucial habitat for many insects and is loved by hummingbirds. It’s also a favored food by bears and elk.
The fireweed colonies are often seen as a sign of renewal after a fire, a reminder that the forest will return in time.
Seeing fireweed reminds me that there is a coming fire that will make all the forest fires combined pale in comparison. The cleansing fire of the Lord is coming.
For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. Malachi 4:1
Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. Psalm 50:3
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24
After the fire will come the renewal. Believers will be in the eternal presence of the Lord. There will be no more sin, shame, or suffering. We will be freed from the presence, practice, and penalty of sin.
We will be all that He has created us to be. We will be fully human, without the problems of sin, each of us reflecting his image.
The next time you see a stand of fireweed, remember that the forest will regrow, and remember that because of Jesus, we do not need to fear the wrath of God. We can look forward to being with Him.
Hallelu Yah,
Be blessed,
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”