TREES

Trees are the largest living objects on the earth’s surface yet half of most trees are underground!  If a tree grows many leaves but only a few roots it’s liable to be weak and short lived.  But if it puts down many roots it will live longer and be more resistant to stress.

In the Bible, Psalm 1 likens a godly man to, “A tree planted by the rivers of water.”  Here is the picture of someone who thinks deeply and who loves to get, “in a nook with the Book!”  This is an old fashioned way of describing those who love to prayerfully meditate in the Bible and to soak up the deep wisdom of God that it contains.  They will not waste time with idle chatter but be relaxed and stress free like those who rest beneath cool leaves.  Like a fruit tree they will bring forth the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.  Their leaves of learning “Do not wither and whatever they do prospers.”

In stark contrast the ungodly are not like this but they are like the frivolous chaff which the wind drives away.  In God’s sight they have lived empty, useless lives and therefore these “Ungodly shall not stand in the judgement nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous …  But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

The greatest victory in history was accomplished on a tree!  The Apostle Paul wrote, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law having become a curse for us, for it is written, cursed is everyone who hangs upon a tree.”  [ Galatians 3:13 ]  Out of love Jesus nailed the curse we deserved to a tree.  Why not thank Him and follow Him?