One of the greatest heavenly blessings to humanity is rain. Whoever doubts the magnitude of this blessing would think differently after spending a little time in a desert. As much as rain carries epic blessings, dew seems to carry even more.

What unique attributes of dew make it stand out? The Bible provides insight to this topic in the second chapter of the Book of Genesis. Genesis 2: 4-6; “And every plant of the field before it was on the Earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth; and there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the Earth and watered the whole face of the ground”. Here it is understood that the dew preceded the rain which was intended to help the herbs and plants grow for the sustenance of man in the Garden of Eden. Rain is seasonal but dew is a daily occurrence which vanishes with the rising sun. It appears therefore that the dew not only sustains life but seemingly heralds the glory of each new day. The functional intent and purpose of rain is graciously satisfied by the dew. This assertion is simply extraordinary when one considers the amazing and endearing qualities of desert plants like some species of the cactus which carry enormous health benefits especially for inflammation.

It is no wonder that ancient religious sages attribute the unique blessings of the morning dew to the belief that it is the very breath of God which forms a mist on the entire Earth. The Patriarchs understood this mystery as Isaac, Moses and Elisha all blessed and cursed the nation of Israel using the morning dew. In the twenty seventh chapter of the Book of Genesis, Isaac blessed Jacob who posed as Esau saying “therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven and the fatness of the Earth and plenty of corn and wine”. Moses blessed the tribe of Joseph before his death saying “and of Joseph, blessed of the Lord is his hand, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew and for the deep that coucheth beneath” (Deuteronomy 33:13).  

Since the dew is in a sense, the divine presence of God which carries the weight of his glory, it implies that when the dew is withdrawn from the Earth, man is as good as extinct and good for nothing; for in Him, we move and live and have our being. This can be God’s source of correction as when Elijah the prophet said unto Ahab in the seventeenth chapter of the Book of First Kings; “as the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word”. During the early hours of dawn, beginning from about 3am, the Earth receives a kiss from its creator. There is a definite response from all of God’s creation to his majestic presence during those brief moments of dawn. The first notable sight are the tall trees and blades of green grass bending in obedience to the gentle breeze of the dawn. The closed petals of rich colorful flowers stretch out to display an array of their beauty and glory as they salute the misty dawn to receive their share of freshness. Anyone who is accustomed to taking early morning walks will testify to the freshness of the air, the cool and gentle breeze which releases creative energy into the atmosphere making it an artistic delight for all who desire a pump of inspiration. A unique method of stress relief is an early morning walk or any simple outdoor exercise during these precious moments. Better still, is the bare-footed walk on grass that has newly received the kiss of morning dew. Adherents to this form of exercise will attest to the impact it has on circulation in the legs and its mysterious ability to calm the nerves.

It is not unusual for spiritual beliefs to be translated into cultural norms and superstitious practices. This is the case with the spiritual beliefs concerning the morning dew. In certain parts of the world, especially tropical countries, the traditional name for coconut water is dew. The coconut fruit is revered as a mother plant for its numerous benefits to man. In such tropical settlements, every part of the plant is useful for food, shelter, medicine, and other common domestic utilities. The branches of the coconut tree are used to build beach sheds and huts mixed with clay, the fruits make nourishing milk, the oils make both skin and hair nourishment and are great for cooking, while the water is a refreshing thirst quencher. The outer shell of the coconut is sometimes carved into cups and cooking utensils. In Western countries, dew is collected and used a cosmetic face wash praised for its enhancement of youthful beauty. The benefits do not end there. Coconut water features regularly in the traditional marriage ceremonies of some cultures. It is used to wash the feet of new brides before they step into their new homes both as a symbol of purity and fertility. It is believed that brides whose feet are washed in such manner remain pure faithful and fertile mothers of children. This symbolism arises from the similarity between the pure clear therapeutic water of the young coconut and the milk it bears within. Since barrenness is considered a curse, the coconut water ritual at wedding ceremonies is considered an honor and a blessing indeed.

The blessings of God’s presence find expression not only in the dew (and coconut water), but also in almost everything around us; hence the coconut water has such amazing and broad spectrum health benefits. On-going scientific research continues to record additional benefits to the long list of existing ones. Cosmetologists uphold the unique qualities of coconut to defy age and wrinkles, restore damaged hair and scalp, and good face wash. Coconut oil soft gel capsules taken before meals aid in digestion and weight loss. It helps to alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infections, bladder and kidney stones. This unique natural substance also helps to balance good and bad cholesterol, improve circulation, and regulates blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Coconut water is the best natural electrolyte drink ever known containing healthy portions of potassium, manganese, selenium and zinc. It is the best antidote for heat stroke, dehydration and cholera.

Declaring the blessing of the morning dew on anyone is like releasing the very presence of God and if God be for us who can be against us.