Dear Family,
Today is Wednesday, May 15, 2024. It is Day 18 and Day 4 of Week 3 in our Count to Pentecost.
At the Elim oasis, God provided spring water and trees for Israel‛s enjoyment and refreshing.
There are a number of places in Scripture where God‛s faithful people are compared to trees, and in these passages we can find a very important spiritual lesson.
In Isaiah they are to “be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD,” as they live by God‛s appointment, when the spirit of heaviness or mourning in Zion is exchanged for the garment of praise. Notice in this Scripture that the reason God does this is so that He will be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
In Psalms 92, God‛s people are compared to the palm tree and to the cedar. And, they will be bringing forth fruit, even in old age.
Psalm 92:12-14 (12) The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (13) Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
In other Scriptures, God says these faithful are blessed as He plants them near waters, and they continue to bring forth fruit. They don‛t even whither.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (7) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. (8) For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Psalm 1:3 And he 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.
In each of these Scriptures, there is an emphasis on bringing forth fruit and glorifying God. This fruit provides clear evidence that we are true disciples of our Lord.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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