The Tree Beside the Riverbank

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and an in all they do, they prosper.

Psalms 2:3 (NLT)

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Jeremiah 17:8 (NKJV)

In the last few months, many of us have experienced lots of different seasons, from a national pandemic, to unrest and riots across the country, and even circumstances in our own lives. In times like this, this illustration of a tree is powerful. If we are represented by the strength of the tree, then God is the stream. If there was ever a time that the “sturdiness” of the tree is tested, it is now!

How I long to be like this tree, that remains unmoved by its surroundings and events. And I think we have every expectation that we can be. It is a very powerful illustration that this is what God intends for us his children. “we are planted.” Notice the Psalmist doesn’t liken us to a branch, but a grounded and firmly planted tree. We were not called to be tossed around by the winds of fear and chaos that have seemed to blow so heavily lately. We are not meant to be moved by our circumstance either – loss, financial hardship, struggle. Because we are grounded in God.

“Along the riverbank”

Whenever the Bible speaks of rivers or water, I know that the Lord is representing himself. He is our life-giving water, vital to our existence. The Lord is our daily life-giving source. How much of a difference my day is when I spend time with Him, pray, and just share my daily life with Him rather when I find I am more affected by my present circumstances or what we see on the news. Those things do not bring life.

“Bearing Fruit in Each Season without Fail”

While I’m not much of a fruit eater, I again recognize that a metaphor speaks far beyond the apples and oranges I’d rather not consume :) Instead, I pray that fruit that is exhibited in my life is the fruit that comes from abiding with God, the fruit of the spirit, including hope, joy, and faith in the midst of seemingly crazy circumstances. While 2020 has been such a difficult year globally, in our own lives, we are called to still bear fruit because our hope is not in our present circumstances, but rather we’ve tapped into something greater, which is that God is still on the throne. He is still all-powerful.

“Their leaves never wither, and an in all they do, they prosper.”

You mean, even in a crazy year like this, that’s possible? Wouldn’t we all like to know that circumstances don’t have to affect us the way that fear and uncertainty seems to have its grip on the world? We cling to the hope we have because God is sovereign, and He has come that we might live abundantly, despite the current season.

My prayer in this season is that our eyes are fixed on Him, not the world. He is in control over ALL things, including what we see on the news. I encouraged for each of us, that through our times of quiet and devotion with Him, that our roots will go down deep into His love. And that through all things and in every season, we will see the outer workings of God in our lives.

Today, let’s pray this passage of scripture over our lives: Ephesians 3:14-20

14When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Lord, we thank you that our eyes are on you.

Our roots can go deep in the knowledge of who you are;

You are our daily bread, our life giving stream,

And you are where our hope is stored.

We know that we are not called to be moved or shaken,

But we build our lives up on you.

Lord, bring us sweet times of refreshment in this season.