BE A TREE

Psalm 1:1-3 New Living Translation

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do.”      

       A tree that’s planted by a stream reaches its roots deep into the rich soil and out towards its source of nourishment.  Because the water feeds it constantly the tree thrives.  Believers in Christ are like that tree.  If we delight in the word of God and learn to abide by its instruction we will prosper spiritually and be blessed.  One definition of the word prosper is “to bloom”.  As a flower slowly opens its petals, blooming in the springtime sun, so we will bloom before our Lord.

    When we become Christians we become representatives of Christ in this world.  Delighting in the law of the Lord should set us apart from those who do not.  That doesn’t make us weird, but rather simply different.  We need to show this dying world in a tangible way the difference Christ has made in our lives.  Talking about it and then not following it up with action only makes us look like hypocrites.  People want to see Jesus, not just hear about Him.  If scripture tells us to think of others before we think of ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4) then whether with our brethren or those outside the family of God, let us begin to practice that.  Be Jesus to those around you.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; Tyndale House Publishing.

NOTE: Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”