“I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: that they may see ... that the hand of the Lord hath done this.” Isaiah 41:19-20
The Lord has also planted Joshua trees in the North American deserts, and He has placed many living creatures around them. These trees are found only in the deserts from Utah to California and in northern Mexico. A large display of them can be seen as you drive through the Joshua Tree National Monument in southern California where soil and rainfall are just right for them.
Many of these trees grow as high as forty feet, supported by a thick, woody trunk. They have an assortment of odd-shaped branches that end in clusters of thick, dark-green spikes. A cluster of greenish-white flowers grows in the center of these spike clusters after the winter rains.
The Creator has arranged that Joshua trees do not crowd one another. Each tree needs lots of space to benefit from scarce rain and nourishment from the poor desert soil. He placed them there for a purpose, as they are a shelter and life support for many animals, birds and other kinds of desert life.
Many lizards live there, including the zebra-tailed lizard that scoots over the ground with its striped tail lifted over its body. Another is the long-nosed leopard lizard that always runs upright on its two hind legs. There is also the loose-skinned chuckwalla that never seems to be in a hurry. And there are many others.
Certain tortoises find a good life among the Joshua trees, as do a variety of snakes, including some rattlers. Kangaroo rats make their homes there too. Gophers are all around, and desert wood rats make nests underneath or up in the tree trunks. Mice, jackrabbits and cottontails are also plentiful, and some coyotes, foxes and badgers can also be found nearby.
Great numbers of birds live in the area, including falcons, roadrunners, hawks, quail, ravens and owls. Many of them make nests in these trees, and others nest on the ground underneath. Bats hide in the Joshua trees in daylight and hunt desert insects at night.
Although people may drive by these trees and rarely give them a glance, we see they are really another wonderful example of God’s creation and His constant care over it all. How happy those of us are who know this loving, caring, planning God. We can clearly see a master design and know that all things did not come into being just by chance. This is why the Bible says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). And to remember our Creator means also to remember the love that brought Him from heaven to die on Calvary’s cross for all who will admit they are lost sinners and accept Him as their Saviour. Is He your Saviour?
ML-01/30/2011