Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:01:27 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Dec. 16); BP: Is. 61; RBTTY: Rev. 7; Amos 4-6
December 16 “Planted Trees”
“. . .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 we’re never “wild roots;” we’re carefully-cultivated for His glory and others’ good.
Have you ever walked through an orchard and noticed how well-kept (normally) they are? Their planting was not haphazard—and neither is their care. . .for a well-groomed and bumper crop-producing orchard is no accident.
And, neither are we, dear Pilgrim.
Today’s Manna, found in the context of Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming Messiah, is an intriguing one for the focus moves from the One Who’s “preaching good tidings to the meek. . . binding up the brokenhearted. . .proclaiming liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. . .giving beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (vv.1-3a). . .to our being called “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.”
Why the change in focus?
Simply because the Lord God doesn’t save us so we can have the assurance of sins forgiven and the hope of a Home in Heaven. A thousand times no! He plucks from the pits of hell, “sets our feet upon a rock, establishes our goings and puts a new song of praise in our mouth so many can see it, fear and trust in Him” (Ps. 40:2-3). Hallelujah!!
Or, another way to put it: He saves us so we can serve Him.
Woe to him/her who walked the aisle years ago, got baptized, joined a church and has now kicked back waiting for the Train to Glory! Again, the God of Heaven has saved us to serve, not sit (Is. 6:1-8; Rom. 12:1-2).
That’s why He “preaches good tidings to us”—so we can share it with others (Mt. 28:18-20)! That’s why He frees us from the “strongholds of sin” (II Cor. 10:3-5)—so we can tell others how they can be free, too! That’s why He transforms us from guilt-ridden, having-lost-all-hope “dwellers-in-death” (Mk. 5:1-19)—so we, like the Samaritan woman, can say “Come see a Man Who told me everything about me, yet still loves me just the same; is not this the Christ?!?” (Jn. 4:29)! Glory!!
Planted trees are prosperous trees (Ps. 1:3). They’re fruitful trees that are “rooted in Christ” (Eph. 3:17; Col. 2:7) and His Word (Jn. 15:1-7), which is that “Well of water springing up within us into everlasting life” (Jn. 4:14). And, as we “walk in the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1) we’ll bear evidence of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23), which will whet the spiritual appetites of those around us as they say “What do you have that I need?”
And, we can quietly reply, “Jesus.”
Never forget a fruitful orchard is the result of the owner’s choice and cultivation—and so are we. May we be known as “trees of righteousness, the Lord’s planting” . . .not rotten trees. . .for the way we live will either bring Him glory or shame.
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