“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad . . . and the desert shall . . . blossom as the rose.” Isaiah 35:1
The Sonora Desert lies mostly in Mexico but reaches into southern California and Arizona. It sustains thousands of desert plants and trees designed by the Creator to withstand the harsh climate. Most of the time some look like they are dead, but a rainstorm brings an immediate change.
One of these is the boogum, or cirio, tree. Its trunk looks like a tall pole, reaching 25 feet or more high and about as big around at the top as at the bottom. Its stiff, thorny branches have leaves and flowers in the short, moist season, but otherwise it appears dead and bare. Large groups of these grow on rocky slopes of the desert where the only rainfall comes as infrequent cloudbursts. The Creator has designed some of its roots to spread a great distance to greedily draw moisture into its trunk and branches. Its other roots go down deep, also taking in as much moisture as possible.
In contrast to the boogum and growing nearby is another strange tree. Because it has such a thick trunk and branches, it has been called the elephant tree. But this is one of the most beautiful trees of the desert when a good rainfall brings out its fresh leaves and pretty flowers.
Another is the ocotillo, or candlewood, a thorny bush with many bare branches reaching upward and also designed by the Creator to withstand the dry heat of the desert. This one is also leafless most of the year. But the magic of a rainstorm brings out its greenery along with many bright red flowers that look like bright flames shining at the top of its long stems.
The jumping cholla is a large, cactus, tree-like bush and one that should be carefully avoided. It should never be touched with bare hands as it is totally covered with needle-sharp stickers that are very painful to remove. Its flowers are a creamy white.
The opening Bible verse looks on to a future time known as the millennium, following God’s judgment against those who have refused His love, when He will bring blessing to those who have been faithful to Him.
The lovely flowers of the desert plants bring to mind Song of Solomon 2:12-13 which cheers the hearts of all who today love the Lord Jesus. Here is what it says: “The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come. . . . Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” For all who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, this reminds us of a wonderful promise of a time coming soon when He will call us home to heaven. Will you be part of that happy company?
ML-01/02/2000