Debbie and I one year visited a lovely North Carolina Park called “Grandfather Mountain!” But I chose this photo to especially show you the rocks (in the foreground) and trees (in the background). Keep reading and you will understand why …
Today’s Bible thought …
Years ago I saw a used book about trees, specifically trees in the Bible. Then again a few weeks (or was it months) ago I saw a book about trees in general, the benefit they are to society, critically so. And just a few days ago I remembered these three pictures.
Yes, once in Jesus’ Day a (blind) man our Lord healed actually described men as “trees!” (Until Jesus touched him again, that is!) “And he looked up, and said, I see MEN AS TREES, walking.” Mark 8:24, word for word, from the King James Version. Men compared to, likened to trees!
Now I am remembering Psalm 1, that beautiful description of the godly man who “meditates” in the Word, day and night! The Holy Spirit says of him … “And he shall be LIKE A TREE planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3, Wow! This applies to ladies, too.
And now the idea of wind and trees? Yes, once the Holy Spirit (symbolized as “wind,” a soft “breeze”) indicated to David the right time to attack an enemy! How? By gently “going” (“blowing”) in the tops of some nearby mulberry trees! This is meticulously recorded in 2nd Samuel 5:23. “When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the MULBERRY TREES, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.” The “sound of a going,” a thrust of wind! Trees cooperating with the Spirit of God! So should we, for sure!
This tree, on a mountain top in North Carolina, has been so influenced by the prevailing winds that it has grown with all its limbs yielding to the power of those breezes! That’s submission!
Again I remind you of our Lesson topic: “Men as trees!”
But Psalm 92 is even more detailed! “The righteous shall flourish like the PALM TREE: he shall grow like a CEDAR in Lebanon. Those that be PLANTED in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock.” Psalm 92:12-15, if you want to know the exact verses.
This massive oak is literally growing out of rock! Jesus is our Rock!
And Jesus (in His Preaching) used “trees” as object Lessons often. “Even so every good TREE bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt TREE bringeth forth evil fruit. A good TREE cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt TREE bring forth good fruit.” A whole book could be written about this theme, “Spiritual Lessons trees can teach us!” I just used our Lord’s Words from Matthew 7:17-18.
My goal today … I eagerly want us all to begin seeing TREES as “object lessons,” revealing their Creator’s Power and Glory and Truth. One reason being … trees are nearly everywhere … constant reminders of spiritual realities!
Yes … Trees!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
By the way, whole books have already been written about the many lessons trees can share with us Christians. Phillip Keller’s little volume entitled “As a Tree Grows” comes to mind. It’s good, too.