How To Become Like A Tree Planted By The Water
I don’t know how many times I’ve read these scriptures but each time, I receive encouragement. Yet, I don’t go deeper.
Not too long ago, I came across one of these scriptures during my biblical meditation one morning. This time was different.
The meditation was based on the following scripture:
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”
Psalm 1:1-3
When I read these words, my mind went to Jeremiah 17:7-8, which says:
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Holy Spirit highlighted the clear parallels between the two scriptures. And the revelations that I received from these truths are ones I want to cling to in every season, no matter what that season looks like. I want the same anchor for your thoughts through the different seasons, so that’s why I’m sharing these revelations with you today…
On this particular day, the meditation ended with a prompt to give Jesus areas of my life I’m struggling with and ask Him how I can plant deeper in Him.
So, I did.
How to plant deeper in Jesus
After I gave Jesus what seemed like every area of my life (have you been in a similar season?), His response was simple:
- Trust me
- Follow me
- Meditate on my Word
And His promise is that when I do these three simple things each day, surrendering my own agenda, I’ll be blessed.
Now, being blessed doesn’t necessarily look like what the world (and at times, Christians) define as blessings. It could, but it’s so much more! It’s greater than the material, tangible blessings we see.
In thinking about what it means to receive blessings in the Kingdom of God, remember that we are first and foremost spiritual beings. Yet, we’re living a human experience here on earth.
And so, God desires to bless our spiritual existence before our human existence. The eternal trumps the temporal.
Therefore, by trusting Him, following Him and meditating on His word, we’re positioned to receive heavenly blessings. In other words, we’re blessed with God’s presence, peace, joy, love, hope, grace…I could go on.
Photo by Tim Mossholder via Pexels
Being planted by streams
Now, what’s this about being a tree planted by a stream of water? What does it mean? What’s its significance?
Well, water is an essential element for the different processes that fuel the growth of trees (and plants in general). So, for example, with photosynthesis, when the rain falls onto the soil, water enters through the tree’s roots.
Nutrients travel with water up through the inner bark’s xylem (tissue). These traveling nutrients then feed the tree through the process of leaf photosynthesis – converting light energy from the sun into chemical energy that’s then released to fuel growth.
Okay, science lesson over.
So, if a tree can get its water from the rain, why is being planted by a stream such a big deal?
Think about this – in a season of drought, trees no longer receive water from rainfall because, well, there’s no rain. In these conditions, the soil becomes dry and the tree’s roots can’t draw water molecules from the soil. This results in leaved wilting and drooping, colour changes and stunted growth.
Okay, I lied to you before – the science lesson really ends here.
What it looks like to bear fruit
Now, if a tree is planted by a stream flowing with water, it doesn’t rely on rainfall to receive the water it needs for energy and growth. It has a constant supply of water, regardless of the weather conditions.
I believe this is the point made in Psalm 1:1-3 and Jeremiah 17:7-8. When we consistently choose to trust in Jesus, follow Him and stay in His Word, we receive a continual source of living water to fuel our growth. Holy Spirit is more active than ever, working in us and through us to produce fruit – no matter the season.
We could be walking through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23) or in a season of promises fulfilled (Psalm 13:12) and we will still bear fruit.
That fruit isn’t always externally evident but can be seen in the Spirit. That fruit could be operating in the gifts of the Spirit in a greater capacity or growing in our demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit. Whatever it is, it’s pleasing to God and it matters from an eternal perspective.
It matters now and it matters in the life to come.
So, the next time you’re tempted to measure your “success” by the visible and tangible in your life, I encourage you to meditate on these scriptures to renew your mind and align with God’s thoughts. Because His version of success lies in the ability to bear fruit that will outlast a lifetime.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
Think about it
Are there any areas of your life for which you believe God wants you trust Him, follow Him or seek His Word more? How have you seen God’s blessings in certain areas where you have planted deeper in Him?
Pray about it
Ask Jesus to reveal to you specific ways you can plant deeper in Him.
For more Holy Spirit inspired revelations straight into your inbox, sign up for my emails here. Let’s grow in our understanding of God’s Word together!
Written by Oyelola
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