Lessons for us from trees
This week we are looking at trees and the relevance to each of us. Trees make life possible. They provide shade, beauty and numerous other gifts—from paper to medication.
We read in the book of Psalm 1:2-3:
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Trees need water as much as they need light. The first Psalm is a description of what faithful people who follow Gods word look like. They are like “trees planted by rivers of water” and they “meditate” on God’s law day and night. They are thinking about what Bible reveals about God’s will and plan for our lives. In order to do this, we need to study the Word of God—His Bible.
Trees can teach us many lessons, but one of the most important is that things change in life and seasons come and go. Plants bloom and fall to seed. Storms light up the sky and then the sun comes out. The circumstances of life in which you find yourself at the moment are not permanent and they only seem that way.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted”.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
No two people are the same, just like trees and plants. Trees grow toward light. Just like trees we should turn towards the light and we are reminded that Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
The deeper our “roots” go in the Bible, the more we’re able to withstand the trials, troubles, and other droughts that come our way. Healthy, mature trees have roots that travel in all directions seeking water and nutrients. A tree can represent family . It shows how we are all connected, ultimately to the root. We read the words of the Apostle Paul as he uses the olive tree to represent how we are in God’s family.
“For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
Romans 11:16-36
Proverbs likens wisdom to a tree. When Israel’s prophets describe the restored creation and God’s renewed covenant with His people, they speak of majestic trees — myrtle and cypress — replacing the weeds of the curse. And when Isaiah foretells the Messiah, he describes Him as a shoot from the stump of Jesse. John the Baptist warns that unfaithful Israel will be chopped down. Jesus calls Himself the true vine, and we are the branches. And of course, He bore our sins in His body on a tree — the cross.
God wants us to plant strong in His word the bible which is more than just an ordinary book. God gave us the bible to help us understand His love for us. He speaks to us through its different stories and writings, teaching us about Jesus, his plans for us, and how we can get to know Him.
Just like our tree seeks out water to grow tall, we grow big and strong in our faith when we ground our ‘roots’ in ‘streams’ of Jesus’ water. Jesus tells us “whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Every living thing needs water.
A great analogy that I heard a long time ago and have never forgotten is the recommendation to be like a palm tree. Palm trees bend and they are really flexible, so that they can weather the storm. As we journey through life remember to stand tall in the storms of life, lean on the Lord, read Gods word and be ready for when Jesus returns. Trees remind us that life is much bigger than our present moment. Their deep roots and sprawling branches call us to look for the hope that is to come. The Bible contains so much hope and there are many posts on various topics discussed here, take a look!
Article by Sair. Photo by Mohamed Thasneem (unsplash.com).
