Psalm 1: 3 states: “And he (the blessed man) shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
LET’S TALK ABOUT
TREES.
As I am typing, out our
front window I can see the gorgeous blooms on our Cleveland Pear and Autumnalis
Cherry that we planted a few years ago. God could have designed trees so that
they would all resemble telephone poles...as I used to remind my children when
they were little. But He wanted us to enjoy them...even use them.
Probably all of us have
read this Psalm many, many times. In my devotions, I have been meditating on it
word by word. We will just talk about verse 3.
“TREE” - The very word brings the idea of longevity, beauty,
usefulness, shade from the heat or rain, protection or shelter, privacy, wood
for heat or building, fruit for food. Wow! All from a tree!
A tree can also be
steadfast through storms and drought...why?
It is “PLANTED.” Being planted properly is necessary for
growth. A tree almost always is planted on purpose as a seedling. This planting
is very important...
“BY RIVERS OF WATER” - This implies fresh water. Even in times of
severe drought, the tree will have already been growing from the nourishment it
has been receiving.
“BRINGS FORTH FRUIT IN SEASON” - This is an ADAMANT statement. If the tree has received the proper planting
and fresh water, fruit will come. This might be edible fruit or just
beautiful leaves that bring joy to the observer.
“LEAF WILL NOT WITHER...HE WILL PROSPER” - Hmmm! “Not wither”...
Green, fruitful, beautiful...”pro” in “prosper” implies looking forward. The
tree has a long future of beauty and usefulness if it stays nourished.
Of course, you can see the analogy! Are we beautiful trees growing
steadfast and bearing fruit and blessing others with our lives? We must be “planted” firmly in the Word of God so
we can receive nourishment. Then others will see our beauty, usefulness, fruit,
vitality, and even steadfastness during times of drought and storms.
God’s Word can also help
us to grow with fresh ideas and challenges, like shiny, healthy green leaves on
a tree, to make us more useful for Him. The
marvelous part of reading God’s Word is that the Author is present with us and
can enlighten us as we read...if we only ask!
Fruit...in season...Perhaps this will encourage you today. We will
have periods in our lives when we are more fruitful than others. We have to be
careful with fruit. Some folks might be “allergic” to our “fruit” if we are
overly zealous. On the other hand, if we don’t use the fruit (gifts and
abilities and qualities) God gives us, it might “spoil” or be wasted when there
is a place for all of us to serve. Team work is when we “mix our fruits”
together for the Lord and othersJ.
Prosper - I must be looking “forward.” A Christian should “ live in the now” but also flourish and thrive to have a
“leaf that does not wither” no matter the season of life.
Make sure you are getting your
daily nourishment so you will be a “tree” that is green, fruitful, and
beautiful.
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