It’s only Tuesday, but Pastor’ s  message from Psalm 1 has come to mind many times since Sunday morning– “Be Like A Tree!† The heat and humidity made the auditorium a bit stifling and sleepy on Sunday, foot traffic in the back was distracting, the Power Point wasn’t perfect, and details about types of trees seemed long at times. But as numerous situations in life and our news cycle have threatened to overtake my thoughts with waves of worry, doubt, and fear, God has directed my thoughts back to that sermon—“Be Like A Tree!â€
When parasites of self-doubt threaten to paralyze and overwhelm—be like a tree!
When it seems as though the majority of people are flocking to the coolest, hippest church and vibrant leader—be like a tree!
When the news causes fear and anxiety to well up inside—be like a tree!
When loved ones are facing a variety of stressors, fiery trials, and unbelievable pain—be like a tree!
When disappointed with self or the choices of people we care about—be like a tree!
When worried about people and their situations and the future—be like a tree!
When there seem to be no answers to problems—be like a tree!
Ruminating on Psalm 1:1-3, be reminded that blessing does not come from listening to a misguided friend or the ungodly voices of the world with endless attention-grabbing headlines, anti-God opinions, polls, and trending social media blather. Â Blessing comes when our delight and meditation is the Word of God, our life-giving , sustaining Source.
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
Pastor’s closing directed us again to the comparison of water and the Word in Isaiah 55:10-11:
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
The Word of God WILL accomplish something in your life, but you must be taking it in.  Are you receiving daily sustenance from God’s Word this week?  Are you letting the Word of God pour into your mind and heart?  Or are you letting the busyness and cares of life and this world crowd out time to saturate your thoughts with the promises and principles of Scripture? Let the Truth of His Word fill your heart to overflowing, with more abundance than any other spoken or written word.  Be like a tree!  To withstand every external onslaught, your roots need to be taking in the daily water of the Word!