Virtual Sunday Message
1-24-10
By Rev Deb
We are told in Psalms 92:12 that "the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree." In many respects this verse fittingly describes the life and experiences of the child of God.
BEAUTY IN A TREE
Palm tree's are widely noted for their unique beauty. Whether in primitive regions or cultivated lands, the palm tree has always stood out. The palm tree does not need the touch of human hands to maintain its natural beauty.
The Christian life is similar,- Like the palm tree, the believers life should manifest a true spiritual and moral beauty. In fact, Palms 90:17 says,"Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us." There are numerous references in the psalms to the beauty of the Lord's holiness and how this beauty is to be reflected in our lives.
The believer who is daily walking in a consecrated life will inevitably manifest this beautiful characteristic to those around them. Obviously this is what the Palmist must have had in mind when he wrote, "The righteous (consecrated believer) will flourish like the palm tree".
GOOD POSTURE
One striking fact concerning the Palm tree is, it almost invariably grows erect. Very seldom do we find crooked palm trees. When one sees a palm tree leaning in a certain direction, you can be sure that it was due to some unnatural circumstance such as a constant strong winds. This is not true of all species of trees by any means. Some are very crooked and gnarled, but the palm tree is by its nature, upright, straight and erect.
The Christian life is not to be "crooked" ! It has been designed by the Lord to be straight and true at all times. The Christian character is not to be gnarled, rough or twisted causing others
to scoff. Instead our lives and testimonies should cause others to want to learn more about our faith. WHAT'S AT THE CORE ?
Another remarkable thing about the palm tree is that its life is in the center, or heart, of the tree. It is not at the circumference under the bark like most other trees.
The Christian life is much the same, It does not consist of outward things, but is a deeper, inner spiritual life. Indeed, a Christian is one in whose heart the Holy Spirit has implanted a new divine life, thereby making him/her a child of the living God. The love of God is poured into the believers heart by the Holy Spirit,- it is a "love that surpasses all knowledge", (Eph. 3:19). The believer also has within his/her soul a "JOY that is unspeakable and full of glory," (1Pet. 1:8). and a "PEACE that surpasses understanding," (Phil. 4:7). These are all things that the Holy Spirit has implanted on the inside, the core (heart) of the believer.
A Christian's life consists of inner nourishment and strength that comes from the Holy Spirit through the word of God; not the outward and temporary nourishment of the world. The worldly nourishment of love, joy, peace, patience, self control, etc... can only be felt and obtained by its surroundings and circumstances; it is only temporary, but the nourishment from above is divine! This nourishing fruit surpasses all circumstances. It is an inner peace that goes beyond the natural circumstances or a love (agepao) that sees beyond a fault and can keep on loving the unlovable. This, too, is part of the meaning of the Palmist's in Ps 92,- "the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree". The Christian life is a deep rooted, sweet, rich life in the inner man.
TRIUMPHA NT TREE...
The palm tree is master over virtually all circumstances. It flourishes even in barren desert areas where no other plant life can exist. There may not be a blade of grass or any other kind of foliage, yet, in the barren desert sand you may see the beautiful and dignified palm tree, triumphant and erect. Drought, heat, blight, wind, no matter what may prevail, the palm tree triumphs. It is not dependent on such circumstances, but rather triumphs over them.
To Be continued...
Until then,
