“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:3).
The trees in our area are just beautiful this time of year with an abundance of flowering blossoms in every direction we turn. It’s only about a two week window so we enjoy it immensely as we travel through the county, though it is a very short season. From our office window we look over to our neighbor’s huge lilac now blooming, although I don’t know whether it’s classified as a tree or a bush since it’s massive. It will soon be fully green around here and there’s a special quality to the rich green color of young leaves. We enjoy the beauty of the flowering trees, but unfortunately for some the season can’t end soon enough since they deal with allergies related to the nasty pollen that falls from the trees.
Today is Arbor Day here in the USA, a day when we especially consider the blessing of trees. I like trees a lot. This week a longtime friend and his family visited us from New York state. Jeff is a forester, which I always thought must be a neat job. One time when I first met him about 35 years ago he took me to work with him and we drove through the Allegheny National Forest in northern Pennsylvania.
There are references to trees all through the Bible from the very first chapter of Genesis to the very last chapter in Revelation. Solomon had an interest in trees, among many other things. “He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls” (1 Kings 4:33).
Psalm 1 describes a righteous man who is thriving in his spiritual walk. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water.” We live near a beautiful, small trout stream known as Donegal Creek. Our tractor trail walk takes us along this stream and a row of beautiful old trees. These trees have thrived over the years, benefiting from the excellent soil and proximity to the Creek.
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water.” This colorful phrase describes the man who is blessed.
The blessed man is characterized by what he does not do.
Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns observes:
1) He walks in the counsel of the wicked,
2) He stands in the way of the sinners and finally,
3) He sits in the seat of the mockers.
In other words he’s walking in the wrong direction toward the wicked, then remains idle instead of running away from such sinful influence, and lastly his doom is sealed as he finally takes a seat among them.
The blessed man is characterized not only by what he does not do but also by what he does do:
We encourage you today to read all of Psalm 1 (it’s only 6 verses!) and receive the wonderful blessings of God through His Holy Word. Read, study, meditate and memorize these timeless truths. I (Brooksyne) did it years ago but must review from time to time since my memory is a bit faulty these days, and I’m always refreshed in my spirit when I do. May it be true of each of us that we are like a tree “which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers”.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
