As an aside, I was wondering what is the best day for this piece to be published and the Holy Spirit suggested the 40th day of a new decade. Well, here we are...40 days into the new year & new decade - God is sooooo good!!! Look back and I'm sure you'll have so much to thank Him for....and thank Him from the bottom of your heart.
“Life begins at forty” (W. B. Pitkin).
You’ll see why in a bit.
Benjamin Franklin said: “At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty the wit; at forty the judgment.”
And this ties in with Ann Landers opinion that: “At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At 40, we don't care what they think of us. At 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all.”
I believe that at age 40, good and sound judgement under the counsel of the Holy Spirit will make a sure difference in your perspective and approach to life. Watching those who have turned (or are turning) 40, I’ve observed that 40 seems to be when people feel “old & young” at one go – and that’s so exciting!!!
This explains why this is my favourite quote on turning forty:
“Forty isn't old, if you're a tree” ~ Anonymous.
Wow – that quote struck a chord in my heart especially when I remembered how often God refers to us as trees – at all ages too.
Let’s start with the general references:
Psalm 1: 1- 3: Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].*
Jeremiah 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.*
These 2 passages are key to any and everyone who wants to live an invaluable life. For as long as you treasure the word of God (by obeying it); choose the right friends and trust in God absolutely (worrying about nothing but praying about everything) I can assure you that your life is made…it will be safe, secure and sweet in spite of storms and situations you will definitely face. Guess what? - you don’t need to wait till you’re forty to achieve and enjoy this superior (& supernatural) quality of life.
The next 3 passages refer to specific trees we’re likened to:
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.*
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.*Psalm 104:16 - The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly and are filled with sap, the cedars of Lebanon which He has planted,*
A cursory review of these three trees indicates that they all have long fruitful lives – way past forty. Of a truth, “Forty isn't old, if you're a tree” (Anonymous)
God desires that all of us become and remain trees of righteousness – Isaiah 61:3. We’ll look and learn from their “attributes and attitudes” in subsequent postings ….
* Bible verses from the Amplified Bible
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