"Those planted... shall flourish in the courts of our God"

"Those who are planted in the house of the LORD

shall flourish in the courts of our God."

(Psalm 92:13 NKJV)

    What a beautiful thought - so poetic and pretty - but it is so much more than just a pleasing thought, it is a truth that we are living! The psalmist was writing about us!

    The prophet Isaiah even spoke of Christians in this way, "...that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3b). We are alive and flourishing under God's care so that we may bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 1:12, 1 Peter 2:9)!

    God planted us in His house. The word 'planted' is a short form of the term 'transplanted' meaning, moved or transferred to another place or situation. Has God done that with us?  Consider, if you will, these passages:

• "...that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." (1 Peter 2:9)
• "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed* us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." (Colossians 3:13)  *conveyed = transferred 
• "...in order to turn then from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." (Acts 26:18)
• "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)

    When we obeyed the gospel, God transplanted us into "the house of the LORD" - Jesus' body, the church (Hebrews 3:6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 1:22-23)! We are now sheltered "in the courts of our God," where we are nourished (Isaiah 55:1-2, Matthew 5:6) and able to flourish!!

"Blessed are those who dwell in Your house,

they will still be praising You."

(Psalm 84:4 NKJV)

    Courts or courtyards surrounding both the king's palace and the temple were accessible only by permissions granted by the king or the religious rulers. Some courts of the temple were inaccessible to Gentiles/Greeks, but God plants all who come in faith and obedience in His courts (Galatians 3:26-28, Romans 10:10-13), where we find all we need to grow and develop (Psalm 23:6, 27:4, 65:4, , 2 Timothy 3:16-17), where we find every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14)!

    Dig your roots deep into all that God, the Master Gardener, faithfully supplies for your nourishment!! Continue to faithfully flourish under His care and provision, so that He may be glorified in all you do!!

You can do it! So can I!! 

"Praise the LORD!

Praise the name of the LORD;

Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!

You who stand in the house of the LORD,

In the courts of the house of our God,

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;

Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant."
(Psalm 135:1-3 NKJV)