Trees

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.  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 whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 1:1-3

I love trees – particularly if they fruit or flower.  When I bought my house last year, I discovered to my sorrow that the previous owner had cut down at least 15 trees – some of them such beauties as Damson plum.  This spring I had all the stumps removed, and am going to replace a few of them with new trees.  Last fall I planted a sweet cherry in the front yard, and a Golden Delicious apple tree now graces a portion of the back yard.  Amazingly, both of these small trees are bearing fruit – an exciting time for any gardener!

The psalmist describes a faithful believer as a tree that is planted by a stream of water, bearing fruit in the proper season, abundant in new growth – not concerned with drought or scorching wind.  The source of our strength is the living water that Jesus offers to anyone who hungers and thirsts for His righteousness [Matthew 5; John 3].  The character traits of the Almighty are the fruit produced in our lives.

Cherish the graces of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.  This is the fruit of the Christian tree.  Planted by the rivers of living water, it always brings forth its fruit in due season.