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 Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God.When Dr. Carey was suffering from a dangerous illness, the enquiry was made, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text for your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.'" In the same spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:-- William Carey, Born August 17th, 1761: Died - - "A wretched, poor, and helpless worm On thy kind arms I fall." Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honored of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all others that they are men at the best. Empty boats float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We have need that the Lord should have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preachings, our alms-givings, and our holiest things. The blood was not only sprinkled upon the doorposts of Israel's dwelling houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes into our holiest things, the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy be needed to be exercised towards our duties, what shall be said of our sins? How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious to us, to restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice! Daily Light on the Daily Path Proverbs 16:20 He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.Romans 4:20,21 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, • and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 2 Chronicles 13:18 Thus the sons of Israel were subdued at that time, and the sons of Judah conquered because they trusted in the LORD, the God of their fathers. Psalm 46:1,2 For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. • Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Psalm 118:8,9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. • It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes. Psalm 37:23,24 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. • When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. Psalm 34:8,9 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! • O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. 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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