Like a Tree

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3

Now that spring is coming around, I see the trees starting to bud and the earth coming back to life.  It makes me think of my Christian walk in that I can be encouraged by this short Psalm.  It mentions yielding it's fruit in season.  Well, the Bible says that we need to be ready in season and OUT of season to preach the Word of God.

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 2:4

Doing God's will might be likened to bearing fruit.  Now that can look like a lot of different things according to each person's ability but it always includes preaching the same Gospel that Yahshua taught.  If we do otherwise or preach another gospel or even another Christ, then that is like preaching no Gospel at all!

"another Jesus whom we have not preached… or a different gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:1–4).

So the Psalm mentions producing fruit in season but the leaves do not wither.  That makes me think of the life water within us, that would be likened to Yah's set apart spirit.  He gave this same spirit without measure to Yahshua who began pouring it out on fellow believers at Pentecost, (read the book of Acts).  This is what keeps us alive spiritually and empowered to continue doing what our Heavenly Father desires.  He wants no one to be lost so our bearing fruit and having leaves that do not wither means being very active in preaching the Gospel to all who will hear.

Summertime

Summertime is perhaps my favorite season! I enjoy the beach, especially swimming in the ocean. I've even had the opportunity to sail to Nantucket Island off the coast of Cape Cod and take a whale watching cruise off the coast of Maine. The New England states are oppressively hot in the summer though. When we are refreshed by the living water Yeshua promised, we won't mind the seasons when it comes to the ministry.

It reminds me of Psalm 1:3 when King David said:

"And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whosoever he shall do shall prosper."

I look for Yah to prosper me in my spiritual walk, in my music ministry and in my life. In fact He has told me, "I will prosper you." Now I may not be able to see how or even when God will do this for me but with eyes of faith, I am standing on His promises. I know that whatever I need will be supplied including the strength to keep faithful during the summer months and beyond.