Phosphorus: Praise

The First Coin

TAILS: To begin our devotional right let’s put things in proper perspective. You and I are vitally dependent on plants for oxygen and food. Yet without the sun and special light-sensitive cells called chloroplasts plants would be helpless to sustain us. However, we need to go one step further. Without phosphorus photosynthesis could not occur.

Phosphorus, which means “light bearer”, must be present for plants to use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen. Yet phosphorus does not become a part of the reaction. It is a catalyst [something that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any change].

But phosphorus does not always act as a catalyst. In order for a mineral to be useful to a plant it first must be connected, or chelated, to an amino acid. This is one of the functions of roots as well as certain microflora in the soil. However, there are five elements needed to form an amino acid. Phosphorus is fourth in the lineup. If any of these five elements is missing, amino acids cannot be formed, minerals can’t be used by plants, the plant dies, and life on this earth is affected.

Phosphorus is also present in cell walls, in the form of a specialized fat molecule called a phospholipid, where it acts as a gatekeeper, allowing certain things in or out.

HEADS: Note the association of praise and thanksgiving with light. “Praise him, sun and moon: praise him, all you stars of light.” Ps 148:3 Praise and thanksgiving can act as magnifiers (a main function of catalysts). I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. Ps 69:30

Just as phosphorus is needed for photosynthesis to work, so praise and thanksgiving are necessary for us to benefit from the bright beams of the Son of Righteousness shining all around us. Malachi 4:2 Ingratitude steels the heart to love’s expressions.

As phosphorus takes the 4th of 5 places in the formation of amino acids, so PRAISE takes a similar position in the development of fruit-bearing trees. Lev 19:23-25

PRAISE also opens the door into God’s presence as do the phospholipids in cell walls. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.” Ps 100:4

Make sure you have plenty of these Coins available in your garden’s pocket and spend them often this year. They are the keynote of gardening success.

For Coin 2 click here.