Delphinium

This pretty delphinium I grew in a pot in my back yard, offering a month or so of pleasure before succumbing to pests and disease. Yet ironically, the plant is the source of methyllycaconitine, a diterpenoid alkaloid, the compound of which was successfully isolated and named by John Goodson at Wellcome in 1943. It can cause serious skin irritation and acute digestive difficulties. It seems strange that a plant which may harm cattle and humans fell itself victim to external attack.

We fallen humans are both aggressors and victims in this world. We are abused, and we abuse; we hurt and are hurting; we are hated, and we hate. Only Christ Jesus can break this awful cycle. Not only does He forgive, but He transforms. He suffered, but caused no suffering; he was tortured, but harmed no one. Only by turning to Him are we saved from sin's poison while having that store of poison with which we destroy others depleted and destroyed.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29