FWD: Morning Manna (Dec. 15); BP: Is. 61; RBTTY: Rev. 6; Amos 1-3

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:29:04 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Dec. 15); BP: Is. 61; RBTTY: Rev. 6; Amos 1-3
 

December 15                                                                                                                                                                      &n bsp;                          “Trees of Righteousness”

 

                               “. . .that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord—that He might be glorified.”

                                                                                                                                                                  &n bsp;                                                                           Isaiah 61:3b

     In Him there are no accidents or coincidences—for He plants us where He wills and uses us as He sees fit. . .knowing He’ll receive the glory in the end.

     If you were going to compare yourself to a tree, Pilgrim, what type tree would it be?  A towering redwood or mighty oak tree?  A weeping willow or prickly pear tree?  A fruit-bearing tree like an apple, orange, peach, fig, mango or coconut tree?  And, would you see yourself as bearing limb-bending-down-to-the-ground fruit or would you be barren, having nothing to offer?

 

     So often in life we set out, envisioning ourselves to be like a strutting peacock or crimson red robin more than we do a motley, mite-ridden, drab-colored sparrow.  And, for a while we may, indeed, “have the world on a string” and the proverbial Midas touch in everything we do.

 

     But, soon, reality sets in.

     And, our dreams begin to dim.  And, our hope begins to fade.  And, the spring in our steps gives way to heavy-footed and heavy-hearted trudging. . .barely able to put one foot in front of the other. . .even as our once tender heart grows colder and harder with each passing day.

 

     It’s in those times that we must “cry unto the Lord” (Ps. 107:28a) and know He’ll hear and answer our cry (Ps. 107:28b-30; 40:1-3; Jer. 33:3).  And, it’s in those times that we must believe He’s able “to work everything together for good if we love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

 

     Again, some trees are stately, standing tall and reaching to the sky, while others are lowly and bow toward the ground.  But, today’s Manna reminds us that all those who are born from on high will be called “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.”

 

     Sometimes that “planting” is in marshy soil.  Like the fern that thrives in moist, dark conditions, so is our life filled with much heartache and sorrow.  But, even there, like the lilies of the valley, we “toil not, neither do we spin” (Mt. 6:28), knowing it’s not up to us to protect or provide for ourselves—for the Lord God our Supplier and knows our needs (Phil. 4:19).

 

     Likewise, as we are “grounded in Grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18) we realize that we are “like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; our leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever we do shall prosper” (Ps. 1:2-3).

 

     So, we end up “blooming where we’re planted” and grow into “trees of righteousness,” showing we are “the planting of the Lord” and there’s nothing we’re going to face today that He can’t handle (I Cor. 10:13; II Cor. 12:9-10).  In so doing, “He is glorified”—not us—and we fulfill our purpose for being by pointing others to Him. . .which will produce “much fruit” (Jn. 15:5) in the form of other new Christians and the delicious “fruits of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23).  Amen and amen.