Monday Morning Encouragement -- Like A Tree Planted By The Water

 

Source: https://www.heartlight.org/


(Hello Friends,

I'm taking a little break this week, so I'm reposting a devotional from a year ago. I'll be back with a new post next week.  God bless you this Memorial Day, as we remember and honor those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.)


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Aren't you glad we have the Book of Psalms?


I find so much encouragement within its chapters, and so much food for worship there. Beginning with the very first Psalm containing a mere six verses:


Psalm 1

1 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,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 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.


4 Not so the wicked!

    They are like chaff

    that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.


6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.



Here we find that the person who reads and meditates on scripture is blessed. It's not difficult to see why. When we immerse ourselves in God's word the Holy Spirit teaches us and prepares us for what lies ahead. Each day brings its own joys and sometimes sorrow. In the sermon on the mount Jesus said, "Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).


And while we don't know what lies ahead each day, we do know who holds the day in His hands, and He watches over our every move. Never think for a moment that He is unaware of where you are and what you're going through. Every day belongs to Him, and though we may question what He has allowed to come into our lives, it doesn't deter Him from working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).


By the way, it's okay to ask the Lord, "Why?". It's okay to be honest and say, "I'm struggling with this, Jesus." The Lord already knows we're questioning and struggling. Why not just be truthful and admit it out loud to Him? There's so much freedom in doing so. It doesn't anger Him or disgust Him when we tell Him we don't understand. David, who God called "a man after His own heart" wrote Psalm 13, wherein he first wrestles with feelings of God's abandonment, and then ends the psalm with these words:


 "But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me."


So, although the Lord may not give us an answer to our question, He reassures us of His goodness and we respond with praise.


Just like a tree planted by water, which remains healthy and strong and yields fruit at the proper time, when we plant our roots deep into the Living Water, we are spiritually healthy and strong and yield spiritual fruit at the time God appoints. 


This is a great blessing.


Today's music video Planted By The Water by Maranatha Music is lovely. Enjoy.







I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.





5 comments

  1. Thank you Nancy. May we pray for peace on Memorial Day and all other days.

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  2. I hope you're having a good day today and enjoying the holiday, all the while remembering those who gave so much. I have always loved that verse. I'm reminded of the song, "Just like the tree planted by the water, I shall not be moved. I shall not be, I shall not be moved. I shall not be, I shall not be moved. Just like the tree planted by the water. I shall not be moved."
    We need to hold fast to the One who will always be there and we shall not be moved.
    Blessings and love,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you, dear Nancy. I'm back from a small blog break, hope I find you well and enjoying the summer.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete

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