“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;” Psalm 92:12-14
I recently celebrated my eighty-sixth birthday and as I was praying and meditating upon my life and how the Lord had blessed me over the years, this Scripture was illuminated to me. Our lives are like trees. We all start small, but as we grow in His grace, He has a purpose and plan for each one of us. Rooted and grounded in His Word, we can be fruitful until He calls us home.
I found this interesting illustration: The witness of an aged saint to the faithfulness of God is very delightful. When Charles H. Spurgeon was a young man, he was preaching upon this subject in his grandfather’s pulpit. Halfway through the sermon, the veteran man of God advanced to the front and said, “My grandson is preaching what he has read and heard about, but I have proved for eighty-four years that God is faithful to His servants and true to His Word.”
There are many places in the Scripture where the Lord refers to His children being like a tree. In the above passage, the writer references the palm and the cedar tree. Each one has its strengths and characteristics.
Palm Trees are resilient They are flexible, have few branches, and can stand in very heavy winds. Palm trees are authentic. While most trees have bark as an outer layer, the palm is the same all the way through. Every part of the Palm tree is useful. Palm trees are peaceful. They remind us of a place to relax and rest. The branches of the Palm represent victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life.
The Cedar tree is distinct in appearance, has a pleasant aroma, and a high resistance to decay. It is one of the largest of living trees and often lives for a thousand years. The Cedar tree represents protection, wisdom, and strength.
The Psalmist tells us that the righteous, those who have wholly surrendered to the Lord and are abiding in Him, shall be like these two trees.
Whether we are young or old, do we as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ exhibit these characteristics to the world? Are we authentic, resilient, and peaceful like the Palm tree? Like the Cedar, do we resist the evils of the world around us and stand tall in the wisdom and strength God has given us?
Prayer: Lord, we desire to manifest these characteristics in our lives, to be counted righteous in your sight, and to bring forth fruit for you until you call us home.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
11 Comments
Happiest of birthdays to you dear sister. Thankful for this beautiful illustration of strength and endurance presented in love and grace.
Thank you for being a faithful reader. Have a blessed day.
You too sister and Johnson blessed day
Happy birthday even though it’s late you are so encouraging to me when I reach your poster your devotional you have an awesome day I’m glad you’re here in Jesus name amen
Thank you for being a faithful reader and I pray you have a blessed day
I like the part of the verse thay says we will still be fruitful in our old age……Fat and flourishing even! Happy birthday! May Jesus continue to use you.
Thank you for being a faithful reader
My birthday is the 24th of July I will be 74 years old
Happy Birthday to you, hope you have a wonderful day
Happy Birthday! I love your devotions…. I will be turning 42 at the end of the month… I pray that I continue being faithful, and fruitful.
Thank you and I am glad you are enjoying the devotions. God is with us and has something for each of us to do no matter what our age.