The key to be like an evergreen tree

By Yolandie Mostert, 29 February 2020

Ps 1:3. And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

We are very fortunate to have a river running close to our house. Right next to the river is a huge wild fig tree. We find great joy to sit in the shade of that tree, to listen to the noise of the water and basically just enjoy nature.

 

In Psalms 1, the same picture is painted. A man is compared to such a tree.

Let’s look at some attributes of this tree:

• It is firmly planted (winds and storms will not move it)
• It is permanently located right next to the river with its roots in the water
• It yields fruit (this is key to our walk with the Lord: by our fruits we will be known)
• It yields fruit in the correct season (we are in line with God’s plan and seasons)
• Its leaves stay green and firm (not a up-today-down-tomorrow walk)

 

Spiritually this is the best place to be. To live from the place of the living waters.

We read in the book of Revelations of the river that flows from the throne of God. It is the very same water that Jesus is referring to in John chapter 7.

When we are rooted in Christ and filled with the Spirit of God, these same waters will flow through us. It will come from the throne of God, through Holy Spirit that resides in our spirit, until it overflows to our soul and our body.

 

Rev 22:1 (AMP) – Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Christ)

Joh 7:38 (AMP) – He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.'”

 

When we live in and from these waters, we will prosper in all areas of our lives. Spiritually we will be healthy and constantly abiding in Christ. On soul level, our emotions, thoughts and will, will heal and come in line with God’s order and plan, followed by health on bodily level.

 

As with most promises in Scripture, there is an IF THIS followed by a THEN THAT.

IF we believe in Him, which means to adhere to, trust in and rely on Him, THEN the water will flow.

 

We find the IF Psalms 1:2 – But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.

 

The key:

Finding pleasure and joy in the Word.

The Word includes the written Letter and the spoken Word. We have to build a habit of actively meditating on the Word of God (thinking it over, praying over it, searching for treasures and depths). We have to S’hma: listen and obey.

• To prosper according to God’s standard, our very being must be rooted in Christ in such a way that the living waters can freely flow.

• The living waters will flow when we rely on Jesus and not on our own strength and wisdom.

• We grow in relying on Him when we meditate on His Word.

 

May we all have a sincere heart, willing to listen and obey. Amen!

Ps 119:2 – Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies, And who [consistently] seek Him and long for Him with all their heart.