Bible League: Living His Word "Good people are like budding palm trees. They grow strong like the cedar trees of Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD. They grow strong there in the courtyards of our God."— Psalm 92:12-13 ERV The psalmist gives us a vivid picture of "good people" by comparing them to budding palm trees. How wonderful to know that every good person is well placed by God for the benefit of others to flourish, unfold, and excel in God's mission! The psalmist say, good people sprout, or start to grow, similarly to the palm tree. The palm tree belongs to the family of palmae, a tree with an unbranched trunk crowned by large pinnate or palmate leaves. The palm tree is believed to develop best at fountains and highly humid environments (see Exodus 15:27). This gives us a picture of God planting each person according to their environment where they will survive, flourish, and do well even in old age. Children of God flourish because we are joined to Christ, and we are rooted and nourished in Christ (John 15:4). Historically, the Israelites rested in Elim because there were streams of water and palm trees to give them cool shade (Numbers 33:9-10). And Jericho was known as the city of palm trees(Deuteronomy 34:3). The palm trees are a symbol of flourishing in humid environments, hence the psalmist says the good people "grow strong in the courtyards of our God" (92:12-13)! Human beings are created by God to relate and be in His presence at all times! In the New Testament, the palm tree leaves were used to honor Jesus Christ (John 12:13). The good people that are planted by God in Jesus Christ are known as the righteous who live by faith. Romans 1:17 says, "The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself. God's way of making people right begins and ends with faith. As the scripture say, 'The one who is right with God by faith will live forever.'" Romans 4:16 says, "So people get what God promised by having faith. This happens so that the promise can be a free gift. And if the promise is a free gift, then all of Abraham's people will get that promise. The promise is not just for those who live under the Law of Moses. It is for all who live with faith as Abraham did. He is the father of us all". My beloveds, we are planted by God in every part of the world to excel and grow in the godly environment of the church where the Word of God is the source and stream of life! Yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bear fruit even into your old age! By Christopher Thetswe, Bible League International staff, South Africa Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 139-141 Psalm 139 -- O Lord, you have searched me, and you know me. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 140 -- Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man; NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 141 -- O Lord, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 1 Corinthians 10 -- Warning to Avoid Israel's Fate and flee from Idolatry; Freedom of believers NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.Insight How do we get eternal life? Jesus tells us clearly here—by knowing God the Father himself through his Son, Jesus Christ. Eternal life requires entering into a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ. Challenge When we admit our sin and turn away from it, Christ's love lives in us by the Holy Spirit. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Numbers 6:4 All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.Nazarites had taken, among other vows, one which debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the vinegar of wine or strong liquors, and to make the rule still more clear, they were not to touch the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat the fruit either fresh or dried. In order, altogether, to secure the integrity of the vow, they were not even allowed anything that had to do with the vine; they were, in fact, to avoid the appearance of evil. Surely this is a lesson to the Lord's separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form, to avoid not merely its grosser shapes, but even its spirit and similitude. Strict walking is much despised in these days, but rest assured, dear reader, it is both the safest and the happiest. He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah. A little crevice in the sea-bank in Holland lets in the sea, and the gap speedily swells till a province is drowned. Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins. Moreover, as the Nazarite who drank grape juice could not be quite sure whether it might not have endured a degree of fermentation, and consequently could not be clear in heart that his vow was intact, so the yielding, temporizing Christian cannot wear a conscience void of offence, but must feel that the inward monitor is in doubt of him. Things doubtful we need not doubt about; they are wrong to us. Things tempting we must not dally with, but flee from them with speed. Better be sneered at as a Puritan than be despised as a hypocrite. Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but it has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.Psalm 91:5,4 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; • He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. Matthew 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Psalm 121:3-5 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. • Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. • The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. Psalm 61:4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah. Psalm 139:12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 1 Corinthians 3:23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God. Isaiah 12:2 "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation." New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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