May the nations praise you, O God.
    Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Then the earth will yield its harvests,
    and God, our God, will richly bless us. (Psalm 67:5,6)

We have a large garden that yields us great fruit (and vegetables) all summer, thanks to my husbandman husband, Mark. The Psalmist has given us a great tip on gaining a successful harvest: praising God. The Hebrew Word used for praise in this verse is “Yadah,” which means (according to Strong’s*) to, “Hold out the hand; physically… especially to revere or worship (with extended hands).” So let’s get out in our gardens, take a break from bending over and pulling weeds; let’s throw those hands up, and start worshipping our God, who has promised His blessing on our lives:

Your towns and your fields
    will be blessed.
Your children and your crops
    will be blessed.
The offspring of your herds and flocks
    will be blessed.
Your fruit baskets and breadboards
    will be blessed.
Wherever you go and whatever you do,
    you will be blessed. (Deuteronomy 28:3-6)

Father,

Teach us to take your Word literally. Sometimes we are afraid of asking for blessings, knowing how undeserving we are. But, Lord, you have made us worthy to receive everything Jesus so freely gave us: favor with you, forgiveness, and every blessing that Jesus Himself shares with us as his co-heirs (thank You, generous, Savior). So as we praise you in our fields and gardens, may you richly bless our crops that we might share them with the hungry and tell them of your goodness.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

* see http://biblehub.com/hebrew/3034.htm