Oasis for the Soul

At the top of the basement stairs in my childhood home was [what we called] a landing. In my young mind, it was called that because that's where we sometimes threw dirty clothes ... that's where they "landed." Some 1,200 feet below sea level and 18 miles down from Jerusalem is an [ancient] oasis called Jericho.  Along a deep and rugged canyon between Jerusalem and Jericho are fresh water springs. Boasting one particular  spring that releases 1,000 gallons of water per minute, this oasis has rightly been called the "City of a Thousand Palms."  Jericho is home to the papaya and the sycamore tree where Zacchaeus made his famous climb to see Jesus.  Numerous caves are located along the canyon where it is believed the Old Testament Prophet Elijah hid from the evil Queen Jezebel.  Jericho was conquered by Joshua and its walls left in rubble for most of the Old Testament. Herod the Great is credited with building a beautiful winter palace not far from the ancient ruins of Jericho, causing a new city to sprout
nearby. When I visited Israel many years ago, Jericho was one of my biggest surprise: I was shocked at its luscious beauty, a real oasis, in the midst of the area’s dry Judean landscape.  You know, life's curves easily dry our spirits and parch our souls, leaving us thirsting for refreshment.  Psalm 71:21 says The Father will "comfort me on every side."  Every side!  Every side cared for, comforted -- that's all around us!  There's lots of water at Jericho, fresh and physical refreshment just like God’s spiritual refreshment to tired & weary hearts ... an oasis for the soul!