在塞拉利昂·弗里敦市中心，一棵巨大的木棉树立在那里，象征着自由，也象征着获得自由的美国奴隶是如何经过新斯科舍省返回非洲的，他们在树荫下聚集敬拜和祷告。
亚伯拉罕在别是巴这个新的、陌生的领地栽了一棵垂丝柳树，他树立了一个重要的地标。创世记21章提到亚伯拉罕住在那里的非利士领地很长时间。他在别是巴与非利士人立约，就在那里求告耶和华永生神的名。
垂丝柳树又叫做松果树，它在白天有降温作用，因为它会分泌盐和细小的水滴，形成一片凉爽的薄雾。
在那里，亚伯拉罕求告耶和华的名，耶和华就祝福他。亚伯拉罕也成了他人的祝福。
因为树通常能活很久，它们会提醒我们神的信实。所以种树可以给我们一个展望的视角，也会祝福后代。种树还可以激发我们对未来的盼望，特别是我们知道，有一天我们将在新天新地永远与神同在（启 21-22）。
永生的神，我们的指引者和保护者，求带领我们渡过生活的任何境况，引领我们每一天都求告你的名。愿我们也成为周围人的祝福，无论在哪里，都忠心见证服事你。奉耶稣的名，阿们。
创世记 21:22-34
22当那时候，亚比米勒同他军长非各对亚伯拉罕说：“凡你所行的事都有神的保佑。
23我愿你如今在这里指着神对我起誓，不要欺负我与我的儿子，并我的子孙。我怎样厚待了你，你也要照样厚待我与你所寄居这地的民。”
24亚伯拉罕说：“我情愿起誓。”
25从前亚比米勒的仆人霸占了一口水井，亚伯拉罕为这事指责亚比米勒。
26亚比米勒说：“谁做这事，我不知道，你也没有告诉我，今日我才听见了。”
27亚伯拉罕把羊和牛给了亚比米勒，二人就彼此立约。
28亚伯拉罕把七只母羊羔另放在一处。
29亚比米勒问亚伯拉罕说：“你把这七只母羊羔另放在一处，是什么意思呢？”
30他说：“你要从我手里受这七只母羊羔，做我挖这口井的证据。”
31所以他给那地方起名叫别是巴，因为他们二人在那里起了誓。
32他们在别是巴立了约，亚比米勒就同他军长非各起身回非利士地去了。
33亚伯拉罕在别是巴栽上一棵垂丝柳树，又在那里求告耶和华永生神的名。
34亚伯拉罕在非利士人的地寄居了多日。
"Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Eternal God." - Genesis 21:33
In the center of Freetown, Sierra Leone, an enormous cotton tree (kapok tree) stands as a reminder of liberty and how freed American slaves, when they returned to Africa by way of Nova Scotia, gathered in its shade to worship and pray.
Abraham set up a significant landmark when he planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, which was a new and foreign territory for him. Genesis 21 notes that Abraham lived there in Philistine territory for a long time. And after he formed a treaty with the Philistines in Beersheba, it became a place of worship where he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.
The tamarisk is also known as the terebinth tree, which has a cooling effect during the day because it secretes salt and tiny water droplets, creating a fine, cooling mist.
There Abraham called on the name of the Lord, who blessed him. And Abraham became a blessing to others.
Because trees often live for a long time, they can help us remember God's faithfulness. So planting a tree can give us a forward-looking perspective, and it can also bless future generations. Planting a tree can also inspire hope for the future, especially when we know that we will live eternally with God on the new earth someday (Revelation 21-22).
Eternal God, our guide and protector, bring us through whatever situations we live in, and lead us each day to call on your name. May we also be a blessing to the people around us, serving as your faithful witnesses wherever we are. In Jesus' name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
