Well, 10 days ago we said that we agree with the wise (unknown) person who said:
“Forty isn't old, if you're a tree.”
Let’s look and learn from the attitudes and attributes of the three trees God likens us to.
The Olive Tree
Psalm 52:8 - But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.*
Attributes of Olive trees:
- It is an evergreen tree
- It is very hardy, drought-, disease- and fire-resistant
- It can live for very long – past 40 years – and remain fruitful too
- Its root system is very robust and capable of regenerating the tree even if the above-ground structure is destroyed.**
Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit*** – that’s an attitude worth emulating. Olive oil is only extracted from the olive when pressure is applied to it. The olive is edible, extraction from the olive takes that olive to the next level. We must all be willing to go through pressure to get to the next level – pressure brings out the best (or at least the “better”) in us. Pressure is not desirable but it can be an asset in our becoming beneficial to ourselves and to others.
Did you know that "The olive tree has been cultivated for olive oil, fine wood, olive leaf, and the olive fruit"** In other words, every part and product of the Olive tree is useful – can the same be said about you, your words, work and walk?
The Palm Tree
Psalm 92:12 – 15 - The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.*There are over 2000 species of Palm trees. Some of their key attributes, which I believe that Christians should also have, are:
- Their leaves are evergreen - once connected to the trunk
- They has many uses – their fruits are edible as they are or can be used as an ingredient for food (i.e. it provides nourishment); the leaves can be used as brooms (to clear up)
- They thrive in practically any environment
The Cedar of LebanonPsalm 104:16 - The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly and are filled with sap, the cedars of Lebanon which He has planted*
This cedar of Lebanon is an evergreen tree (one that has leaves all year-round) like the Olive & Palm and lives for a looonnnng time too. I'd say this means God expects us to radiate/exude life irrespective of the season we're in...afterall seasons come & go.The cedar is also useful for shade - we must be a "shade" over our family and friends in the place of prayer under the shadow of the Almighty. When people come to you with a challenge or concern, do you expose or shield them with your words and/or actions? Are you like Ham who told others (his brothers) about his father's nakedness or like Shem & Japheth who did something to cover him? (See Genesis 9: 22 - 26 for the full story.)
Another thing the cedar is popular for is its very strong wood; Solomon used a lot of cedar in building the first temple (see 1 Kings 5 & 6). "The superb qualities of the cedar wood as beautiful color, hardness, exquisite fragrance, resistance to insects humidity and temperature, incited Phoenicians, Egyptians, Greeks and many others to use it extensively."**
In being likened to cedar of Lebanon, I believe God expects us to also be:
- beautiful - inside and outside - 1 Peter 3: 3-5
- hard - like a good soldier able to withstand the wiles of the enemy and after it all still stand - 2 Timothy 2:3 & Ephesians 6:13
- fragrant - we must have a sweet smell towards God & man - 2 Corinthians 2:15
- resistant to sin, the devil and his bugs - by submitting to God - James 4:7
Did you also know that cedars flourish and regenerate easily? Wow!!! Is that a cue or what? There is no doubt that God expects to flourish (& be fruitful) where He's planted us and re-produce more "little-Christs".
Talking about being resistant...I like what I heard Jentezen Franklin say last year:
"Cold weather doesn't kill trees, it kills the bugs that kill trees."
God brings things our way to "kill" things that will otherwise kill us. We must never focus on the circumstances rather focus on the Lord through it all and you'll be sure to "walk on water".
In summary, irrespective of our age, God expects us to be FUEL (a source of energy) wherever we are. To do that, we must be:
- Fruitful & flourishing (even in old age)
- Useful to others in many different ways
- Evergreen***** - available to others when it's convenient and when it's inconvenient
- Loyal (& rooted) where God has planted us - have you ever seen a tree that uprooted itself?
God bless you.
Sources:
* Amplified Bible
**http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_tree
***http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/olive-oil.htm****http://www.habeeb.com/cedar.of.lebanon/cedar.of.lebanon.info.html
***** Evergreen means: a tree or bush that retains its foliage throughout the year; somebody or something staying lively and interesting: somebody or something that remains fresh, lively, interesting, or popular
(http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?
lextype=3&search=evergreen)
****** See Jer 17: 7-8 "[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit. (Amplified Bible)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_tree
http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/edible-palms.html
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