The Gift of Stability

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green
- Psalm 92:12-14

The Bible often uses trees as pictures of stability and rootedness. Being planted like a tree (for example, the one by streams of waters in Psalm 1 or the “oaks of righteousness'“ in the prophecy in Isaiah 61). Here in Psalm 92 it’s the picture of being planted in God’s temple (there were no trees in the temple, by the way!) - the picture of strength and vigor.

When you think of heaven, why not insert the image of the flourishing tree instead of the image of bubbly angels playing harps on clouds (not an image from the Bible)? When Jesus invites us to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth as in heaven, envision yourself in that prayer - and think of yourself as a strong, flourishing tree that’s fully alive.

Take some time and ponder these things - thinking about heaven, thinking about flourishing, thinking about rootedness. Talk with God about what’s being stirred up in you today.