Like A Tree Part 2

Psalm 1:3 Says that we are like a tree planted by rivers of water - there are three trees in the Book of Psalms that make a beautiful picture of Believers who are living for the Lord. Yesterday (HERE) we looked at Ps. 52:8 - we are like the olive tree. Today we will see that we are like the palm tree:

Ps. 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

2. The palm tree

- The palm tree is an evergreen

- The palm tree can be productive for many years – even up to 100 years

- The palm tree grows straight and tall

- The palm tree is most useful for food, housing or other constructive things. Every part can be used

- The palm tree is able to resist the strongest of storms

- The palm tree is a picture of peace

- The palm tree is linked to worship in the Bible (Lev. 23:40; Neh. 8:15; 1 Mic. 13:27; 2 Mic. 14:4) - palm branches were used to bring praise to Jesus as He entered Jerusalem (Jn. 12:12-13; Rev. 7:9)

- The palm tree is linked to places of refreshing (Elim Ex. 15 was a place of 12 wells and 70 palm trees)

-The palm tree is a symbol of victory (Rev. 7:9)

- The palm tree speaks of “flourishing”

…Likewise, the Christian…

- Is like an evergreen – there are no dormant seasons for faith, we go from strength to strength (Ps. 84:7); faith to faith (Rom. 1:17); glory to glory (2Cor. 3:18)

- Will be productive for many years – even for eternity

- Must grow straight and tall –righteous and true (Rom. 6:18)

- Is part of the Body of Christ – each one is necessary and useful (Rom. 12:4-8)

- When we are rooted and grounded in Christ we are able to resist the strongest of storms (1Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:11-13)

- Has their heart filled with a peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7)

- Is called to worship (Ps. 95:6; Jn. 4:23)

- Has a well of refreshing deep within (Is. 12:3.:14)

- Is called to be a victorious overcomer (1Jn. 4:4; 5:4)

- Is able to flourish when planted in the house of the Lord (Ps. 92:13) – the word “flourish” is mentioned 3 times in these 3 verses 92:12-14. Like the palm tree, we are able to be fruitful even into old age when we are planted in the courts of the Lord

Like A Tree Part 1: HERE
Like A Tree Part 3 HERE

Like A Tree Part 1

I have been going through the verses of Psalm 1 – we have looked at those in the Book of Psalms who are blessed (HERE), and the 7 things God calls us to delight in from the Psalms (HERE).

Verse 3 says that when we follow the ways of the Lord and delight in His Word we will be like a tree:

Ps. 1:3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

...but what exactly does it mean that we will be like a tree?

The tree will be:

• Planted by rivers of water

• Fruitful

• Durable

• Prosperous

The Book of Psalms describes 3 kinds of tree that make up a perfect picture of Believers:

Ps. 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.

1. The olive tree is one of the most valuable trees in all of Israel. The Lord uses the olive tree to symbolize many characteristics of Jesus, His Church and great spiritual principles:

- The olive tree is an evergreen that grows the best when planted in direct sunlight

- The olive tree produces clusters of small, white flowers

- The olive takes a long time to grow, but produces olives for many years. Many olive trees are hundreds of years old and some are known to be over a thousand years old

- The olive can grow in difficult climates and dry soils

- The olive is resistant to drought, fire, and disease

- The olive is able to grow and sprout shoots after the tree is cut down or burned. Even as many as 5 trunks can spring up from the same root

- The olive trees are beaten with sticks when it is time for the harvest

- The olive is harvested and crushed so that oil is extracted

- The olive oil is used for medicine (Luke 10:34 James 5:14), food (2Chron. 2:10), anointing (Psalm 23:5 Matt. 6:17), soap, lamps (Matt. 25:3)

- The olive is a symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power, purity, life

Just think about it…when we are planted and rooted in Christ who is our Living Water:

- We are like evergreen trees – we never fade. We flourish the very best when we are in direct contact with the Son

- We are clothed in white, which symbolizes purity

- We can be fruitful for many years and our legacy is eternal

- We are able to grow in any place so long as we are rooted in Christ

- We are resistant to drought, fire, and disease when Christ is our Supply, Healer and Refuge

- We are able to grow even after great suffering and death if our roots are in Christ

- Jesus was beaten and bruised or our iniquities

- Jesus was crushed so that the oil of anointing could be poured on us

- Jesus’ anointing is our healing, He is our nourishment and the light for our path

- Jesus is our peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power, purity, life

2. The palm tree HERE

3. The cedar of Lebanon HERE