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Just Like A Tree
Just Like A Tree
Psalms 1:1-3- Blessed (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walks, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].
One of my favorite hymns is “I Shall Not Be Moved.”
Verse 1 – Glory hallelujah! I shall not be moved. Anchored in Jehovah! I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved!
Verse 2 – In His love abiding! I shall not be moved. And in Him confiding! I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved!
Verse 3 – Though all hell assail me! I shall not be moved. Jesus will not fail me! I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved!
Verse 4 – Though the tempest rages! I shall not be moved. On the Rock of Ages! I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, I shall not be moved!
This song is the anthem of anyone who is excited about being in the presence of God. When we are in God, we experience the salvation, glory, and refuge, which can only be found in Him (Psalms 62:7). Even the hypocrites acknowledged our Lord trusted in God (Matthew 27:43) and as a result of Jesus’ trust in God, did not our God deliver Him (Matthew 28:2-6)? We have something to shout and be excited about because for as long as we are in God, we are unmoved by the things He is unmoved by.
This song is the victory cry to all who have experienced and appreciates the love of God. God loved us so much, He sent His son Jesus to die, so we may lay hold to eternal life (John 3:16). Notice how resolved the apostle Paul was when he made the following statement in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We confide in Him and are unmoved by suffering, affliction, tribulation, calamity, distress, persecution, hunger, destitution, peril, and the sword because He freely and graciously gives us all things (Romans 8:32). If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
This song is the testimony of those who experienced a taste of hell right here on earth and Jesus brought them through the fire. In the story of Daniel, the decree was signed (Daniel 6:9). The letter was sealed and so was the den (Daniel 6:17). Nevertheless, when hell rises, God rises even higher and He was able to metaphorically “reach down” and deliver Daniel from the lion’s den (Daniel 6:27). In the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, they were unmoved by the decree to worship the golden image (Daniel 3:12). When the music played, they refused to “dance” and “get down” with the rest of the Chaldeans (Daniel 3:7-12). Nevertheless, when hell assailed, they continued to believe God is able (Daniel 3:16-18). The devil may tie us up, throw us into the heat of foolishness, and sacrifice many in doing it, but every child of God has this testimony, “Jesus untied me. He walked with me. He provided a balm that eliminated my hurt. The devil treated me like ham and threw me to the dogs. Satan intended to smoke me, but Jesus delivered me from the fire. I emerged as one, not smoked, but cured” (Daniel 3:19-27).
This song reminds us of how boisterous the waves can be in the sea of life, but no matter how strong and rapid the rages are of the tempest, our hope is built on Christ the solid Rock. Therefore, we are unmoved by the counsel of the ungodly. We take stands for righteousness and are not positioned by the sinner. We are a people planted by God near the wells of living waters and not in the pathway of violators. We are a going church for a coming Lord. We do not have the time or the desire to sit with the mockers. We love God and His word too much. We shall not be moved!
If “Glory Hallelujah” is our chant, if being anchored in Jehovah is our position, if we are abiding in the love of God and confiding in Him, if Jesus has not failed us, if we are blessed by God, and delight in His word, then we are unmoved because we are like a well watered tree. Listen to your Bible! In Jeremiah 17:7-8, the Bible reads, “[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trust in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.”
When we trust and place our confidence in God, then we not only have the security of an endless supply of a spiritual thirst quencher, but we have positioned ourselves to grow stronger, sturdier, and taller in His doctrine, our disposition, and discipleship. If we follow the divine examples of Jesus, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, then their end will be our end. Let us delight in God’s word. Let us talk to God through prayer and let him talk to us through His word. May we, who have been washed by the same blood of the Lamb as the faithful before us, know the love of God expressed in God’s commands to us. May God refresh us with the living water, so our faith may be steadfast, honest, and true. May God keep us deeply rooted in His word and love forever. May we be like trees planted by the water. May we not be moved!
