So many historical truths from Scripture can be used in application to grow our lives today. In this blog post we will take a look at 7 trees in the Bible. See you can identify with any of these “tree” characteristics.
A Sweet Tree
And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
Exodus 15:25
How do you affect the lives you touch? Are things sweeter when you get involved? Do people feel more at ease when they walk into a room and see you are there? Or do you add to the tension? We should strive to have a sweet spirit and make peace with others as much as is possible.
An Exhausted Tree
When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
Deuteronomy 24:20
Are you so wrung out at the end of the day that you don’t have anything left to give others? Are you so exhausted from everything you are involved with, that you can’t hear/don’t have time to listen when the Holy Spirit speaks to you about witnessing to someone? Where can you trim things from your day, so someone else can glean from your life?
A Hearty Tree
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
Job 14:7-9
Do you display your faith and hope in God even in hard times? Where do you turn for refreshment? We must have such a trust in God, that others see us as a blessing even when we are down and out.
A Producing Tree
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8
Have you rooted and grounded yourself in the Lord? Are those roots drinking from the living water of the Word of God? We should be producing fruit wherever we are planted. Spreading the gospel. Giving others hope. Being salt and light.
A Tree for Relief
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Song of Solomon 2:3
Are you a refuge from the cruel world for those living in your home? Do your husband and your children feel delight and peace in your presence? No matter what your marital status is, when you have company over, those who enter your home should sense that it is a welcoming, peaceful place.
A Withered Tree
The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.
Joel 1:12
Have you lost your joy? Seeking joy in the midst of trials and sorrows requires purpose and determination. What are you doing to avoid drying up and withering? Ask God to help you keep your ministries and service to Him fresh and enjoyable!
A Sycamore Tree
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Luke 19:4
Are you the means by which someone else can see Jesus? Are you willing and able to be used? Zacchaeus climbed the sycomore tree so he could see Jesus pass by. That tree was planted long ago, by who knows, but for just such a purpose! God can use any tree. Stay tuned into his Holy Spirit so you don’t miss an opportunity to be used.
The bottom line is…
God can use you right where you are. He can help you take root and even thrive so He gets the glory!
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, [and] the pine, and the box tree together: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. ~Isaiah 41:19-20
