What’s true about trees is vital for the growing believer to remember
By Dean Collins
For a couple of years I did some management consulting at a tree farm that grew landscape trees. While my focus was on the human side of the operation, I had the privilege of watching and learning about the intricacies of tree cultivation and propagation. It was fascinating to learn about cloning trees, limb and root pruning, and the importance of proper watering to produce a healthy tree.
It was also interesting to learn about planting trees in the right zones based on their specimen. Some of this seemed obvious but at other times less so. Palm trees don’t do well in Minnesota, for instance, and redwood trees don’t grow in Florida. But when you plant the right tree in the right region it will thrive.
Flourishing, trusting, walking
Psalm 92 gives us a glimpse of a horticulture lesson: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” But the focus of the text is not about trees in particular. The focus is on where and how we can flourish by being rooted and fed through the spiritual resources God makes available to us. Spiritual health, flourishing, and longevity are possible only when we stay rooted and fed from the wellspring of our relationship with God.
The psalmist reminded us that flourishing trees are planted in the house of the Lord and flourish in the courts of God.
The prophet Jeremiah had a similar message: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
The tree planted by the stream always finds the nourishment to survive, even in times of drought.
The apostle Paul agrees with the psalmist and Jeremiah. In Colossians 2:6-7 we find these instructions: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Nourished, productive, rooted
Remembering the words of Jesus from John 15 also helps us gain perspective on what it takes to thrive in our faith and to produce good fruit. Jesus said he is the vine and we are the branches. A branch cannot nourish itself. It must stay connected to the vine. Jesus also reminded us that God is the gardener.
When we find ourselves starting to look or feel depleted, undernourished, and unproductive, it might be a good time to check on our proximity to our life source. Only when we stay rooted in Jesus and his Word can we experience the vitality and protection the psalmist describes in Psalm 92. Being fruitful as we mature in years is not only possible but it is expected. Planting our roots in Jesus, his Word, and being led by his Spirit will allow us to be well nourished spiritually and available to be used by God all the way through our time on this side of eternity.
Father thank you for providing us with all we need to be healthy and productive as your sons and daughters. We trust you to meet every need we have in every season of life. We surrender to you and ask that you nourish us today so we might produce fruit that will last all the days of our lives and even into eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 92:12-15; Jeremiah 17:5-8; Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
Photo by Sebastian Banasiewcz on Unsplash
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