Firmly Planted

Firmly Planted 

Psalm 1: 1-3

1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

2But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

I stand in awe of the majestic trees here in Nicaragua.  Their size and beauty amaze me.  They have large trunks and strong branches.  The wood has beauty weaving all through its grains.  These tress remind me a lot of the trees on the coast of south Mississippi and in south Georgia.  The Live Oak is such a majestic tree as well.  These trees can grow up to heights of 50+ feet and a crown spread of 80 feet.  It is said that the crowns of the largest southern live oaks reach a diameter of 150 feet!  Their wood is tough and durable.  I think these two qualities are good for a tree to have.  During those season of drought, a rainy season or hurricane season they are able to withstand the forces of nature.  Are you like a tree: majestic in nature, tough and durable?

When we stand firm on God’s word, we are like trees firmly planted by the streams of water.  When we are firmly planted that means our roots run deep.  Those deep roots help us during those seasons of drought.  Those times when we feel alone.  Those times when we don’t have the answers.  Imagine someone standing beside you and they begin to push you.  Do you immediately loose your balance?  Probably because you were not prepared for them to push you, much less push you over.  When we prepare ourselves for this we are less likely to be caught off balance.  When storms come your way, and they will come, you can be assured that you are prepared because of those roots that run deep. 

Deep in the Word of God.

Deep in His Truths.

Deep in His promises.

Deep in assurance of His love for you.

Look back at the second part of that verse (3).  We also see that not only are we firmly planted but we are by the streams of water.  We all need water in order to survive.  Our bodies are made up of mostly water.  God’s word is our living water!  It is this water that sustains us each and everyday.  The people of Israel understood the value of this.  Do you?  When we don’t have living water in our lives, our lives becomes dry and barren.  This water also nurtures the tree in order for it to produce fruit.  Remember, we just studied about the fruit of the Spirit over the last two weeks.  We cannot display the fruit of the Spirit if we are dry and barren.  The only way to not become dry and barren is to daily be in His Word receiving the Living water.  We have to have Living water to yield fruit, to allow our leaves to not wither and for us to prosper in what we do.  

Today, stand firm in your faith like a firmly planted tree.  Don’t loose sight of what God has in store for you.  Remember we each have a purpose…to bring glory and honor to God in everything we do.  When we do this our roots continue to grow deeper and the fruit will pour out.  

Prayer: Thank you for the image of a tree being firmly planted by the streams of water.  May I always seek the Living water only found in You.  May I nurture my roots in Your word.  May my life reflect Your love for others.  In Jesus Name I Pray.  Amen.