FLOURISH LIKE A TREE

I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah TREE, and the myrtle, and the oil TREE; I will set in the desert the fir TREE, and the pine, and the box TREE together: – Isaiah 41:19

God’s Will for you is to FLOURISH LIKE A TREE. Scriptures ascribe much significance to trees, with ample references being made to them. Prophet Isaiah revealed God’s promise to strengthen, help, and uphold Israel with the right hand of His righteous (v.10). This, he likened to opening “rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of valleys” and making “the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry lands springs of water” (v.18). Then, God promised to personally plant a variety of trees: “I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together” (v.19). These seven species of trees had their distinct qualities, functions, and usefulness.

Believers are often likened to trees in Scripture:

• “He shall be LIKE A TREE planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper” (Psa. 1:3).

• “I am LIKE A green olive TREE in the house of God” (Psa. 52:8).

• “For he shall be LIKE A TREE planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but her leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jer.17:8).

These scriptures severally portray the righteous person like a tree.  When we think of a tree, five qualities come to mind:

Fruitful in season: The righteous goes through seasons. The created order in temperate regions for example, consists of four seasons, namely: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Life is not always about harvest. There are dry seasons, cold seasons, and damp seasons; seasons of sowing and of reaping. But the righteous person progresses through all the seasons of life, and maintains a consistent history of fruitfulness at the right times. He or she is like a tree that produces “fruit in its season” (Psa.1:3).

Strong in harsh times: The righteous person doesn’t always have things to be rosy. In winter, he may lose his leaves. Yet, in the drought of summer his leaves never wither. The nearby grass may be parched and yellow, but the righteous person is green and lush – because his roots go down into the riverbed. He taps into the Life-source of the Holy Spirit, such that when others are withering, he is refreshed from the hidden source of water – the unceasing Fountain of eternal Life.

Standing Out in Distinction: Trees are often used as landmarks because they often stand out against their surroundings. Similarly, the righteous person rises in stature and stands tall above the others who surround him.  Among contemporaries, he is exemplary. He or she is a model and an example to family and society. Such a life is compelling, noticeable, and noteworthy.

Immovable by storms: Like a tree, the righteous person is at times shaken by the boisterous winds of life. Troubles might leave him really rocking, but he’s never uprooted or removed. Being deeply rooted in the Grace of God, he has fortitude and longevity. Long after others have been moved off by life’s gales and storms, he continues to stand, strong and stable.  He’s a pillar in his community because he has not succumbed to the popular temptation to compromise or give up at the first whiff of adversity.

Useful in Providing Shade for others: the righteous person radiates the qualities of the Lord Jesus, and thus becomes a channel of refreshing and relief to others. A tree doesn’t struggle to try to provide shade, it just happens as part of its God-given nature. In the same way, the righteous refreshes the hearts and lives of others readily and consistently. He or she is a minister of grace – always!