"I shall not beI shall not be movedJust like a tree planted by the riverI shall not be moved"
These are the words from a Christian song that I’ve known for more than 20 years. Every time I hear this, I always think about my mom when she was in Germany. She went there in the 90’s.We didn't have cell phones yet and our means of communication were letters, a land line and voice recorder. She loved listening to this song and I first understood its message when I was in high school. This song was her stronghold when her love ones were far from her.Jesus Christ
has been her refuge.
has been her refuge.This was the message delivered to us last Sunday. I was blessed with our visitor. He was a young pastor yet filled with God's anointing.The song gives meaning to a man’s life which is full of faith and meditation of God’s word that can be compared to a tee that grows up near the body of water that will last long for it has enough water to sustain life. Its roots can develop and function well. Thus, it can’t be easily pulled out.It can have green, leafy and shiny leaves that represent success and spiritual stability.
Unlike man’s life which does not conform to the will of God, a tree-like life by the river is strong enough to fight evil and overcome circumstances. In addition, it can be fruitful since it has sufficient water to sustain its life.A person can stand against all odds and remain unbreakable in the test of time.On the contrary, a man who lives the opposite way can be equate to a tree which leaves will eventually fall as its body dies. In other words, a man’s life in this example will disappear in this world without becoming successful and getting heavenly rewards. He can’t claim the peace, joy and righteousness that are promised by God. As a result, living on earth yet getting a life like hell.
To achieve this kind of life, man should serve the Lord, follow thy ways and live with the guidance of His words and Holy Spirit.
Personal uprightness is temporal yet spiritual holiness isn’t.Forcing ourselves to do good things is hard but a change by the grace of God is a sign of real modification.Many things make us happy.The happiness we get from Him though is the best we can get.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.-Psalms 37:4
4 comments:
Like a tree planted by the water...I, too, recall these familiar words of this ole gospel hymn. It's comforting to know, we can be like that tree if we use humble ourselves before the Lord seeking repentence and becoming follwers of Christ.
To be like that tree planted by the water, we must use God's word as our spiritual food to grow strong in our faith, to become unmoveable on moral convictions, and radiate hope of our eternal life through Jesus to others. These are some of the fruits we must bear for Christ.
Those who choose to not follow Christ are weak, yielding to the world, confused, and will wither away like a fallen tree - if they do not surround their hearts to Christ. The way is simple. Ask Jesus to be Lord of your life.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
Thanks Cathy for expounding. I'd love to meet people in the blogosphere whom I share the same faith with. Yesterday I visited a few blogs and most of them got bible verses with their latest post!
Let's continue sharing the good news!
Very lovely post, God Bless!
thanks jacque..You've got the same name with my older sis.. God bless you too
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