The Tent of the Upright Will Flourish

"The house of the wicked will be overthrown,

but the tent of the upright will flourish."

(Proverbs 14:11 NKJV)

    If we, for a moment, block from our view the two resulting ends: 'will be overthrown' and 'will flourish,' it would appear as though the wicked are prospering! They are in a house, whereas the upright are only in a tent, so the wicked must be thriving, right? And if anyone is going to be overthrown, surely it would be the one who dwells in the feeble structure - consider the plight of the three little pigs - the weaker domicile surely indicates lack of strength and power to withstand, doesn't it?

    But God, through this proverb, has given us the big picture, we can see the end result!

    The house of the wicked did not/does not save them. Their house, like they themselves, will be overthrown and destroyed. Why? Because their imagined power, contrived by earthly wisdom (James 3:14-16), rests only in their own bodily strength and their accumulated earthly possessions, both of which will eventually fail and come to nothing (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Matthew 6:19-21). But more than that, their eternal destination will be death and destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Philippians 3:18-19) because they refuse to know God nor submit to His way.

    We know that this earth is not our home (consider Hebrews 11:13-16); we journey through this realm preparing ourselves to one day enter our heavenly home (Colossians 3:1-10). We do not build up palaces here (Matthew 6:19-21), we content ourselves with what we have (Psalm 37:16-17, 1 Timothy 6:6-8), and even that is shared with others so that none go without (2 Corinthians 9:7-12, 1 Timothy 6:17-19). We know that all good things come from God (Acts 17:25, James 1:17; 3:17)! Our strength and hope rests wholly in God, in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10-11, Hebrews 6:17-19)! We know that our 'tent' (our earthly body) will one day be laid aside and left behind when we go on to our reward (2 Corinthians 5:1-8), our eternal home with God (Revelation 14:13, 1 John 3:1-3)! 

    So, do not envy the wicked and their perceived riches, wealth, and power - all those earthly things will be destroyed (Proverbs 23:17, and please take time this week to read and think on Psalm 37 and Psalm 73). Joy in the tent of the upright! God provides all we need to flourish (Psalm 84:11) and we can and will flourish when we continue to faithfully follow His way!!  

"A little that a righteous man has

is better than the riches of many wicked.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,

but the LORD upholds the righteous."

(Psalm 37:16-17 NKJV)

Trusting in God Will Allow You to Flourish

"He who trusts in his riches will fall.

But the righteous will flourish like foliage."

(Proverbs 11:28 NKJV)

   

    The righteous are those who put their trust in God. They have chosen to follow an unchanging God rather than follow after uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17). They see what money can buy yet value God's blessings as greater and far more worthy of obtaining (Psalm 68:19, Ephesians 1:3-14; 3:20).

    "No one can serve two masters;

for either he will hate the one and love the other,

or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.

You cannot serve God and riches."

(Matthew 6:24 NKJV)

    God grants us the ability to work and make money (Deuteronomy 8:18). It is not a sin to have money; it is something necessary, but it is not the be-all and end-all of life (think on Luke 12:15-21). The Israelites were told to remember that it was God who granted them ability to gain wealth - it was a blessing from Him and it was only right that they acknowledge that and thank Him, and use their money for good purposes, just as we are also instructed to do (Consider 1 Timothy 6:18-19 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-12).

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal;

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust destroys

and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

(Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV) 

    Those who trust in God will have lasting contentment, continued growth, and a flourishing faith because they have set their mind on things above (Colossians 3:1-2), where their hope is firmly anchored in eternity! They know that money will not save them, its accumulation here on earth will not grant them any special merit on that final Day; no, the righteous understand that all they have is from God and He is the One to wholly trust and obey!

    Are you ready to flourish? - "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (Psalm 34:8 NKJV)

    You can do it! So can I!!

   

"...in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing..."

"They shall bear fruit in old age;

they shall be fresh and flourishing,

to declare that the LORD is upright;

He is my rock, and there is

no unrighteousness in Him."

(Psalm 92:14-15 NKJV)

    Isn't that a beautiful image? A man, a woman, in old age still delighted in learning more from God's word, still improving, still growing deeper in faith, still joyful about God and the gift of His Son, filled to overflowing with complete assurance of God's power, promises, and truth because over the years they have relied on them and proven them true, and now more than ever they love to talk about and share their confident hope with others!

       "Therefore do not lose heart.

Even though our outward man is perishing,

yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."

(2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV)

    We will continue to bear good fruit in old age when we daily renew our mind and spirit through reading and application of God's word! Romans 12:2 instructs us to not settle into the world's ways but develop and grow ("be transformed") in God's way, by the renewing of your mind. This mind renewal is mentioned again in Ephesians 4:22-24, where Paul gave command to the Christians to stop following their old, corrupt ways and instead be renewed in the spirit of their mind by following the new way created by God in true righteousness and holiness.

    Sin is always a downward spiral, but God's way, though difficult (Matthew 7:13-14), is an ever upward spiral! Learning => trusting => obeying => God's promises, His wisdom, His help proven true =>  trust grows stronger => desire to learn more => increased faithful obedience ===> up, up, UP!   As our roots grow deeper into the living water (John 4:10-14), our boughs will stretch upward, flourishing with growth and development in God's marvelous light!

    What can older women do specifically? Well, alongside the encouragement they provide to all by continuing to study God's word, happily obeying His commands, and faithfully attending church services - all things that will keep them fresh, flourishing, and bearing fruit! - I think Titus 2:3-5 gives a good answer! Older women can teach younger women, young wives, how to live properly before God, to love and obey their husbands, to love their children, and how to use their time wisely and well. They do this by example and with encouraging advice and admonishment. In doing so older women will be declaring God and His way as upright! They will make it evident to all that He is their Rock and that they have found no unrighteousness in Him!

    "O God, You have taught me from my youth;

and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

Now also when I am old and grayheaded,

O God, do not forsake me,

until I declare Your strength to this generation,

Your power to everyone who is to come."

(Psalm 71:17-18 NKJV)

    You can do it! So can I!!

  

"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)

     

"The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree..."

"The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,

He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon."

(Psalm 92:12 NKJV)

    The psalmist describes the righteous as flourishing like a palm tree. Where do palm trees typically grow? In hot, dry, sometimes harsh conditions, right? Yet they flourish! How? By reaching their roots deep down into the ground in search of life-sustaining resources! When they find it they anchor themselves on that stream of nourishment and soon become an oasis for parched souls seeking reprieve from the relentless heat of the desert!

    We, too, had to stretch and reach our roots in search of life-sustaining nourishment. When we dug our roots into God's Word (Ephesians 5:10, 17) we found the living water - the very fountain of life (John 4:14; 7:37-39, Isaiah 55:1-3) and we anchored our roots there, gaining nourishment (Matthew 5:6) and strength (Philippians 4:11-13) to weather any condition (2 Corinthians 12-9-10, Jeremiah 17:7-8)!! We soon become an "oasis" in the world's desert - a place where people find relief as we share with them the living water from God (Matthew 5:13-16), in hopes that they too may dig in and anchor themselves in the pure source of truth, wisdom, and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3, John 14:6; 17:17)!

    The psalmist goes on to describe the righteous person as growing like a cedar in Lebanon. Cedars from Lebanon were specifically sent for and used in the constructing of both the king's palaces and the temple (2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Kings 5:2-10, 2 Chronicles 2:3-16). They were known for being very strong, having a pleasant fragrance, being easy to work with and shape, having ability to weather storms with minimal shrinkage or distortion, and resisting decay. They were sought after for both their beauty and their strength.

We, as Christians, are known by our fragrance (2 Corinthians 2:14-17), an aroma that is pleasing to God (Ephesians 5:1-2). We have hearts that can be worked with and shaped/transformed (Romans 12:1-2, Isaiah 64:8), through God's blessings we have strength to weather the storms of life and because of His blessings we are not distorted or jaded by the troubles we endure, and we do all we can to resist the decay of sin (James 4:7, Psalm 119:59-60; 67-69, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 15:58; 16:13-14)!

Now, consider for a moment King David's prayer for the people who would be blessed by God, specifically what he said about females: "...that our daughters may be as pillars, sculpted in palace style." (Psalm 144:12) David's envisioned the women serving God as being strong like the cedars from Lebanon that supported his dwelling, and able to bear up with elegance - they would be useful, strong, and beautiful (1 Peter 3:3-4, Proverbs 31)! 

Keep digging your roots into God's holy word, drink from the living water, anchor your roots in God's Truth! Let your faith continue to flourish as you study and obey so you can be an oasis for a parched soul lost in sin! Stand tall, be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10), and bear up under your burdens with elegance!

You can do it! So can I!!     

   

"In His days the righteous shall flourish..."

    Solomon was blessed among other things with knowledge of Jesus - who would come 24 generations (or 1200 years) after him! Psalm 72 declares the glory of Jesus' coming and how His coming would bring good things to the world.

    "He will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice." (vv.2, 4; 12-14, see Acts 17:30-31, 2 Timothy 4:8, Revelation 19:11, 1 John 3:17, Matthew 11:5, James 2:5)

    "He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, like showers that water the earth." (v. 6) Jesus' coming to earth would be a time of refreshing (Acts 3:18-21). The Word of God would come in the flesh (John 1:1-5, 14) and give hope and sustenance to all who believe in Him "as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations" (v.5, see Luke 9:56; 19:10, Mark16:15-16, Hebrews 13:8, 1 Peter 1:22-23)

    From the time Jesus came to earth and until the moon is no more "the righteous shall flourish" (v.7) Flourish means to spring up, grow, and spread - and that is exactly what happened! Consider the book of Acts, just as Jesus declared in Acts 1:8, that His gospel message would begin in Jerusalem (a city, fulfilled in Acts 2-7), then go into all of Judea and Samaria (the large regions North and South of Jerusalem, fulfilled in Acts 8 and beyond), then spread to the end of the earth (see Colossians 1:23). We here, on the other side of the world in North America, are proof that the gospel spread to the end of the earth - we have had it sown in our hearts and it has sprung up and grown and we flourish!!

    The "abundance of peace" that was foretold by Solomon (in verse 7) is the peace that we now have with God through the reconciliation provided by Christ (Colossians 1:19-23). Our sin separated us from God, but Jesus' sacrifice paid the price and we now can seek God and be holy, blameless, and above reproach in His sight IF we continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard!

    The righteous continue to flourish because the the word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12)! The truth, the peace, the hope, the strength, the comfort we find in Jesus allows us to flourish and grow as we become rooted and built up in Him (Colossians 2:6-7, 2 Peter 3:18)! And our joy and thanksgiving for what we have in Jesus will motivate us to tell others of our hope (Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Peter 3:15) - the flourishing continues as more people come to Jesus, obey the gospel, and live faithfully before God!!

    What a wonderful thing it is to consider that we are living proof of a bible prophecy!!

    Please make time to read the whole of Psalm 72. Think on Jesus - and just how much God loves us to have sent Him (John 3:16). Think on these things as you continue to faithfully flourish and make every effort to walk in righteousness before God!!

    You can do it! So can I!!

You Are Not Alone

    Today, let’s draw encouragement from 1 Peter 5:9

 “Resist him, steadfast in the faith,

knowing that the same sufferings are experienced

by your brotherhood in the world.” (NKJV)

    Now, let’s tackle this in reverse order.

    Do you acknowledge the fact that you are not the only one who suffers as you suffer? As a reformed “puddle dweller” I know that I often felt that “woe is me”/“nobody understands the things I suffer”/”nobody knows how difficult this is” feeling when in the midst of hurt and upset.

    But God, through Peter, reminds us that we, in fact, are NOT ALONE, the “same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world”. Other Christians have gone through and are going through what you are going through. They know how you feel, they can and will understand!

    I feel that the New King James version helps us to acknowledge the fact that other Christians experience what we experience, but the King James version uses a different word, a word that may seem slightly odd, but it is a word that should fill you with hope and determination – “accomplished”.

"...knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (KJV)

    “Accomplished” comes from the Greek word ‘epiteleo’ (Strong’s #2005) which means to undergo, to fulfill, to execute, to terminate, to finish, to complete.

    Not only do your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ experience the same things you are experiencing, they are also accomplishing them - seeing them through to the end; getting through, and past them!!

    Does that give you hope? Not only can you have comfort in knowing you are not alone, you can see and learn from another Christian's example that YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS too – you can ACCOMPLISH this problem and put it behind you!

    Now, that is easier said than done, I know. But consider this, when you are driving, what is the #1 rule to avoid hitting an obstacle? Answer: Do not look at the obstacle, instead look where you want to go. Many of us worriers, when we have an “obstacle” in our path, tend to focus completely on the obstacle – which causes us to crash right into and sit there in the wreck for periods of time. If we were to instead look to where we wanted to go – towards God, trusting in His promises and His help (Philippians 4:6-7, Hebrews 11:6, 4:16) – we would very likely avoid the crash altogether!

    The devil puts “obstacles” into our daily paths, but we are instructed to resist him. “Resist” means ‘to stand against, oppose, withstand’. It comes from the Greek word ‘anthistemi’ (Strong’s #436) – which I heard preacher Andy Cantrell say, looks like ‘antihistamine’, the product used to withstand allergens. I think that is a pretty great way for people, especially allergy sufferers, to remember how much they want to oppose the devil, as much as they want to oppose and withstand the allergens that cause them so much trouble!

    So how do we resist the devil? We increase our resistance of the devil when we are “steadfast in the faith”.

    “Steadfast” (Greek: ‘stereos’ Strong’s #4731) means solid, stable, sure, and strong. Now, to keep something solid, stable, sure, and strong over a long period of time (lifetime), diligence and maintenance are necessary.

    We need to dig in to God’s word! When we dig in we will learn what His will is (Ephesians 5:8,10, 15-17), so that we can do it. We will learn of the help He offers us daily, and access it (Psalm 68:19, Hebrews 4:16). We will learn of the promises He will faithfully fulfill if we would but trust Him (Psalm 34:8)! We will learn more than just that God is, we will learn that He is a rewarder of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)!

    Others have gone through what you are going through. During this pandemic many are going through exactly what you are going through. Keep your focus on God. Spend time with fellow Christians – both spiritual time (worship service/bible studies) and leisure time (2 Timothy 2:22) - phone and online opportunities abound during quarantine! - look to godly examples amongst your brothers and sisters in Christ so that you too can accomplish/get through/finish the suffering that you are experiencing. Build up your faith and your knowledge of God by digging into His word! By doing these things you too will be able to withstand, oppose, and resist the devil and continue to faithfully flourish!

You can do it! So can I!!

Hope Is A Tree of Life

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."

(Proverbs 13:12 NKJV)

    As we finish our "Tree of Life" study, we will be looking at hope. Hope can propel our desire to do good (Isaiah 40:31, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Hebrews 7:19, 1 Peter 3:13-17), it can quell our desire to do wrong (1 John 3:1-3, Ephesians 4:17-24, Colossians 3:1-11, Hebrews 12:1-2), and it can dwell in us (Psalm 33:18-22; 71:14-16, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 3:6; 10:23), helping us to endure through hardships as we grow and develop deeper faith in God!

    God created us, He knows that hope is needful for us because.hope motivates us toward a goal. Our responsibility is to place our hope in what is eternal not temporal (Romans 8:24-25). When we learn to hope in what is eternal, our hope will not be deferred because God is faithful in all His promises! Having this living hope (1 Peter 1:3-9) sustains us, it benefits us in our walk; it is a tree of life to all who have it!

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

and whose hope is in the LORD,

for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

which spreads out its roots by the river,

and will not fear when heat comes;

but its leaf will be green,

and will not be anxious in the year of drought,

nor will cease from yielding fruit."

(Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV)

    When we hope in the Lord we will find nourishment, so much so that we will have no need to be fearful or anxious. We will also continue to faithfully flourish in both good times and bad!  Hold fast to your hope, let it anchor you to all that is good and profitable (Hebrews 6:17-19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Philippians 3:12-16)!

    Discover the life-giving benefits that come from placing your hope in God and His Word!

You can do it! So can !!

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in His word I do hope.

My soul waits for the LORD more than those

who watch for the morning - yes, more than

those who watch for the morning."

(Psalm 30:5-6 NKJV)

A Wholesome Tongue is a Tree of Life

    So far we have discovered that wisdom (from above, James 1:5; 3:13-17) is a tree of life, beneficial to the one who has asked for it and uses it. In wisdom we acknowledge who God is and who we are before Him and we conduct ourselves accordingly, giving God honour and glory in all we do. We have also found that what we do as we humbly follow God's word and will, as we walk in righteousness, is a tree of life to those who observe us - we can benefit those wandering in darkness, by showing them a different way to live as we shine a light that directs them toward God's path, that points them toward Jesus (Matthew 5:13-16)!

    Today, I would like you to consider this passage:

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."

(Proverbs 15:4 NKJV)

    A wholesome, or healing, tongue is a tree of life, a beneficial, life-giving asset. A wholesome tongue, one that speaks truth in kindness, promotes hope and healing; has the potential to make situations better.

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

(Proverbs 15:1-2 NKJV)

    James describes the tongue as "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). He goes on to state and to admonish, "Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren these things out not to be so" (James 3:10). We all hold within us the potential to heal or to harm, knowing this we need to train ourselves to only open our mouths with wisdom, kindness (Proverbs 31:26), and what is needed to promote spiritual growth in knowledge and holiness (Ephesians 4:29) so they too, may faithfully flourish!

    Where wholesome words provide an true oasis of good for the hearer, offering refreshment, comfort, and shelter (aka. a tree of life), corrupt words crash down on them like a dead tree in a windstorm, only causing devastating harm. Perverseness in the tongue (crooked, corrupted speech) breaks the spirit, it gives no sustenance, no help, no hope to the hearer.

    So, let us consider our words before we speak, "Will this help or harm? Will this promote holiness or hopelessness?" Let your words be beneficial and life-giving to those not walking on the pathway as well as they who are walking right beside you (Galatians 6:10)!  

"Walk in wisdom toward who are outside, redeeming the time.

Let your speech always be with grace,seasoned with salt,

that you may know how to answer each one."

(Colossians 4:6 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!

 

   

The Fruit of The Righteous is a Tree of Life

    As we continue our four-part "Tree of Life" series, I would like you to consider this passage:

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, 

and he who wins souls is wise." 

(Proverbs 11:30 NKJV)

    The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. What does that mean? That the things done by a righteous person will be beneficial and provide life-giving sustenance to not only themselves but to those with whom they interact.

    Who are the righteous? Those who practice righteousness (1 John 3:7) by doing what is right in accord with God and His righteousness (1 John 2:29). 

    Where do I find the righteousness of God? In the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17; 10:17, Matthew 5:6; 6:33)! 

    And what is the fruit of the righteous?  When we humbly honour and obey God, walking in a right and proper way before Him, we will begin to produce (do) good things! In pursuing righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22) we will love as God does (without partiality or hypocrisy, Matthew 5:46-48, Romans 12:9, James 4:8-9), we will be filled with joy knowing we are right in God's sight (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 89:15-17) and that joy will be exhibited in all we do! It will show itself in our diligent pursuit of peace (with God Hebrews 12:3-11, 1 John 1:9, and with "our neighbour" Romans 12:17-18), and in our ability to endure hardships (longsuffering, Matthew 5:44-45, Romans 12:19-10). It will be evident in our consistent kindness (Romans 12:10-13), goodness (Romans 12:21, Galatians 6:9-10), and faithfulness (Matthew 25:21, 1 Peter 1:3-9), and apparent in our quiet gentleness (Philippians 4:5, 1 Peter 3:3-4), and self-control (Titus 2:11-14, 2 Peter 1:5-11)!

Can you understand how these good and noble things - these fruits that we develop as we pursue righteousness - are beneficial to more than just ourselves and able to be a tree of life that provides life-giving sustenance (Psalm 1:1-6)?

When we understand the path of righteousness - its blessings and benefits, where it leads, to Whom it leads, and why He is worthy of our every effort - then we are wise to encourage others toward it and invite those we interact with to come and walk the path with us! That is what "win" means in this passage - 'to bring along with us'!

We know the path they are treading and where it leads to (Proverbs 14:12) , so let us, with the wisdom that is from above (James 3:17), with compassion and sincere love for their souls, prove to them the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2) and show them the life-giving benefits of walking in righteousness!

"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament.

And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."

(Daniel 12:3 NKJV)

    

 

Wisdom is a Tree of Life

    A tree can be a source of refreshment, seeing its green leaves after a long, grey winter, a source of comfort when we sit under its shady canopy, a source of warmth when we burn its fallen limbs in a fire. Its fruit can be beneficial to us as well, nurturing us and filling our bellies.

   The book of Proverbs makes mention of four things that are described as "a tree of life" - a source of sustenance to us - and I would like to take the next four weeks, if the Lord wills, to look closer at each one.

"[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, 

and happy are all who retain her." (Proverbs 3:18 NKJV)

    In both the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs we find that "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 11:10, Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). When we seek God and commence learning who He is and who we are before Him, when we determine daily to know and do His word and will, we will have tapped into the very source of true wisdom!

    God is the only source of true wisdom. Consider James 3:13-17:

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in you hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."  (NKJV)

    Fortunately for us, God will generously give this wisdom to all who ask Him for it: 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach,  and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

    Wisdom from above will sustain us, strengthen and fortify us - be a tree of life to us - allowing us to stand firm amidst the storms of life! Retaining wisdom brings happiness because in it we come to know God and we learn who we truly are before Him (Psalm 144:15), we can know how to be right in His sight through study of His word, the Bible (Psalm 119:162, 2 Timothy 3:16-17), we can know how to behave toward others (Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13), and we can be wiser than our enemies (those who want to drag us down, away from God, Psalm 119:97-104, James 4:7), and we can have hope (Proverbs 24:13-14)!

"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her." (Proverbs 3:13-15 NKJV)      

Have you taken hold of wisdom? Have you discovered the sustenance that God provides through it? If not, let today be the day that you ask God for it! If you have and you have found the happiness that comes from having it, continue to ask God for more as you humbly seek to obey Him!

You can do it! So can I!! 

 

   

    Over the coming week, as the Lord wills, make time to read and think on Proverbs 3 & 4. 

These chapters are chocked full of the wonderful benefits that come with wisdom!!