Growing And Flourishing Like Trees

-May 23, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.”

(Psalm 92:12-14).

Throughout Scripture, believers in the Lord are likened to trees. Tree have their roots deeply in the ground, bear fruit continually, and live to be hundreds and even thousands of years old. In the Bible two trees in particular stand out among the many trees: the palm tree and the cedar in Lebanon. The former is unique in that just about every part of it is useful for man; and the latter are majestic for their beauty, strength, and longevity.

There are many wonderful trees in the world, such as the California redwoods and others that are amazing to behold. I recently read of the Bristlecone pines that are the oldest living trees. Several are estimated to be 3,000 to 5,000 years old. In 1957, scientist Edmund Schulman found one he named “Methuselah.” This tree is nearly 5,000 years old and was an old tree when the Egyptians were building the pyramids. Bristlecone pines live in the Western United States at elevations of 10,000 to 11,000 feet. They are able to withstand the harshest living conditions on earth: arctic temperatures, fierce winds, thin air, and little rainfall. Like these amazing trees, God sends hardships in our lives to produce extraordinary strength and staying power.

As believers, we are like these Bristlecone pine trees. We grow strongest and most fruitfully through the severest trials. Here in our text we are told that we still bear fruit in old age. We are tough old trees that maintain our usefulness. Twice the word flourish is used and once the word flourishing is used. The word flourish is defined as, “of a person, animal, or other living organism) to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.” God knows what the best environment is for us to grow and flourish for His glory.

We grow best planted by rivers of living water. We need God’s Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, trials, hardships, afflictions, and pain. God knows the right balance of trials and blessings to help us grow and flourish. God’s trees are tough, tested, and tall. How are you growing and flourishing? I know that the Lord has deepened my roots in Jesus Christ through the years. He isn’t finished with me yet! Let the winds blow, the rain pour, and storms overspread the skies, but we will grow stronger and stronger in our Christian lives. The difference between usefulness and uselessness is found in the words full and less. Let’s be fresh and flourishing.

Have a blessed and fruitful day no what the circumstances may be. The Lord is so good. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean