阅读经文 

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。（参启 21-22）

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).