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"Be Like a Tree in Sh'vat - Planted by Streams of Living Waters"
By Christine Vales
Biblical Month of Sh'vat 5781 = Wednesday night, January 13 - Friday night, February 12, 2021.
"How blessed is the man who does
not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which
yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." (Ps. 1:1-3)
This is the Lord's picture of a blessed man or woman. The Lord is reminding us in this month
of Sh'vat to be like this tree. Let us learn as we turn our gaze upon the tree in Psalm 1 and taste the fruit of its branches.
The Favor, Joy & Peace of God
What does it mean to be a blessed man or woman? Psalm 1 tells us those who delight and meditate on God's Word are blessed. Just a reminder...blessed means "favor." Who doesn't want favor? There are people who think God wants us to be miserable,
but that's the devil's desire, not God's! God gives us the secret to health, prosperity and favor in His Word.
In the natural, reading the Bible seems like the last place you would go to find these things.
But there is a secret here! The Lord uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise (1 Cor. 1:27). He says, if we read and meditate upon His Word, it will bring us delight and peace. How can a book make someone joyful? Ah, because the Bible is no ordinary
book. It is the Word of God. The Book of Life. It is living and active and Yeshua is the Word itself. True peace is found in Him. As it is written:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John. 1:1-4)
When
we believe His Word, which is Jesus Himself, we become a child of God and receive the very Spirit of God living in us. His Spirit within us teaches us and is our very life and true peace.
Rooted in Righteousness
As we continue reading (in Psalm 1:3), we see that blessed is the man who is "firmly planted." Being established brings security. Having roots that go deep brings stability. Prosperity comes when we are rooted in Him.
When we are rooted in righteousness we will not be moved (Prov. 12:3). What does that mean? Righteousness means to be in "right standing" with God. None of us are born in right standing with God. There is only One who came on our behalf to redeem us so we
can be in right standing with Him. His name is Jesus, Yeshua – the Messiah.
We could never obtain righteousness on our own. When Jesus shed His Blood on the Cross a divine exchange took place. He
became sin who knew no sin that we may become His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). When we accept His Blood, shed on our behalf, we immediately take on His righteousness. This right standing brings peace with God and a firm foundation in Him.
Let's be encouraged by Paul's words: "...that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that
you may be filled up to all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19).
Planted by Streams of Living Water
Psalm 1 reveals that the prosperity of this tree
is also due to the fact that it is firmly planted by streams of water. A watered tree is a blessed tree. Likewise, a watered man is a blessed and prosperous man. These are not just any streams, but "living waters."
In Hebrew "mayim chaim" is a picture of the Spirit of God. His Spirit within us brings true refreshment, shalom and favor to our bodies, minds and souls. As Believers, we are to tap into the power of His Spirit within us and offer His living waters
of refreshment to others.
The Fruit Is in the Root
As Psalm 1 concludes, we learn the blessed tree is fruitful. It does not wither and is prosperous
in all its ways. How is a tree prosperous? A prosperous tree bears fruit and its leaves do not wither because it is properly connected and nourished by its source of life. It stands firm in storms. It provides shelter and shade for others. That is the picture
of a blessed man. A fruitful man. A rooted man. It has been said, "The fruit is in the root." The Root of Righteousness is Christ Himself. Rooted in Him, we will bear much fruit that will last.
Do you
long to be like the tree in Psalm 1? Check your positioning! Spend time reading His Word and discover how meditating on His Word, like Psalm 1, brings blessing. Are you bearing good fruit? Be mindful of what you're reading and listening to. We are known by
our fruit. By abiding in Him, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident and come forth automatically in our lives.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control..." (Gal. 5:22-23)
In Sh'vat, go forth in your true identity in Him as a favored, secure, prosperous and blessed man or woman who, like the "Psalm 1 tree," brings refreshment and
shade to others!
By Christine Vales
Email: christine@christinevales.com
Website: www.christinevales.com
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