Articles
A Tree Firmly Planted by the Water
The following article is based on Psalms 1:1-6 (NASB1995).
Verses 1-2:
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”
In today’s society, we are categorized, divided, sorted and manipulated by people and organizations with a wide variety of interests and agendas. Some may be commercial while others are political. They urge us to do one thing or another. Some even will disguise their own ambitions as those of God. As those who follow (or seek to follow Christ, the Son of God), we must be able to discern man’s will from God’s.
Psalms 112:1 reads,
“Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commandments!”
If we fear (reverently revere and love) God, we will have a desire to please Him.
Verses 3-4:
“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”
When we think of a tree firmly planted by the water, we can imagine one with roots that run deep and are well plenished by the river. Such a tree is strong and, even when the river rises and rages, cannot be moved. As followers of Christ, we must not be driven by the ways and will of man but remain rooted in truth.
Ephesians 6:10 tells us,
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
That chapter of Ephesians goes on to describe in verse 11 the “whole armor of God” that we must put on to “stand against the schemes of the devil.” With that in mind, we must be faithful and productive followers in Christ’s kingdom. To do so requires us to bare fruit as we work to spread the Gospel of salvation to others as the fruit of the tree standing by the river provides its fruit to those who may be passing by.
If we do the will of God, He will recognize our work on the day of judgement. As for those who were doing the work of man, God will not know them and they will perish.
Where do you stand today?
