Flourish like a Tree

Flourish like a Tree.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like the cedar of Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courtyards of our God. Even in old age they will be vigorous, still full of sap, still bearing fruit, proclaiming that the Lord is upright, my Rock, in whom there is no wrong.” (Psalm 92:12-15).

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord; the Lord will be his security. He will be like a tree planted near water; it spreads out its roots by the river; when the heat comes it has nothing to fear; its foliage stays green and is luxuriant; it is not anxious in a year of drought, it never stops bearing fruit.”  (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

“But I, like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God, put my trust in God’s faithful love, for ever and ever. I shall praise you for ever for what you have done, and shall trust in your name, so full of goodness, in the presence of your faithful.”  (Psalm 52:8-9).

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. So that they will be called Oaks of Righteousness that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”  (Isaiah 61:1-3).

“… they delight in the instruction of the Lord, and on His teaching they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit in each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1:2-4).

“The Lord says,  I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever. I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send its roots deep into the soil like the cedars of Lebanon. My people will again live under my shade…. I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.”  (Hosea 14:4-8).

“Psalm 92 resonates with the language of the Old Testament wisdom literature, describing the just, the righteous, as trees “who are planted in the house of the Lord” and who “will flourish in the courts of our God.” Contrary to what nature might cause us to expect of the palm and cedar, the righteous (person) is a house plant. He flourishes within the Church, the courts of eternal wisdom, the temple where God’s exceedingly deep thoughts are rendered lucid to the pure in heart.” (Rev. Patrick Henry Reardon, Christ in the Psalms).