Planted

Scripture:

Psa. 1:1        Happy are those
        who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
    or take the path that sinners tread,
        or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2     but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
        and on his law they meditate day and night.
3     They are like trees
        planted by streams of water,
    which yield their fruit in its season,
        and their leaves do not wither.
    In all that they do, they prosper.

Observation:

We are welcomed into this first Psalm which sets the tone for all the others. At the core it is an invitation into a settled, or planted, relationship with the LORD. Advice comes from the LORD, not from others. They are planted, nourished and cared for by living water. Prosperity is not from a worldly perspective, but from God’s perspective and there is the ultimate and eternal blessing.

Plant yourself in the presence of the LORD, delight in his law and be nourished by him alone — this leads to a prosperity about which the world knows nothing.

Application:

Planted and rootedness seem to go together. These days my husband has been doing a lot of planting and landscaping around our home. He has been concerned that these new plants are well watered so that they will live and thrive. He knows that these early days are critical to their survival. They have been planted, but now they need the streams of water so that their roots will grow and ultimately thrive.

We are to be spiritually planted, taking the time to slow down and spend time in God’s holy presence. We need the nurture that will allow our roots to grow. Just as the new plants seem to delight in the sprinkler (you can see them perk up!), just so when we are being fed spiritually we perk up as well. This is a patient time of waiting and slow growth, for healthy growth is slow and gentle. We are watering these plants so that they might look good next year, or the year after. For now they are small, but their roots are growing and becoming strong so that they can weather the different seasons ahead.

Slow down. Read the word. Delight in God’s law. Allow yourself to be fed by his holy presence. Plant yourself at Jesus’ feet and fall in love with him over and over again. And prosperity will come from God’s eternal perspective and you will be satisfied in his peace.

Prayer:

Lord, please nourish me today so that my roots might grow.  Amen.


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