Could it be that we western Christians have enjoyed so much blessing that our root system is shallow? Could it be that our "freedoms" have caused us to be causal about our life in Christ so that we drink only surface water? Could it be that we are not ready for the storms that will come because our roots are shallow?

Psalm 1 tells us that the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly or stands in the way of sinners or sits with mockers, is like "a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither." You may think that this verse contradicts the illustration. Not so. The key to this verse is the full metaphor. The first verses of this Psalm explains that the blessed man is he who does the important work necessary to get his roots down deep. He has tapped into the "artesian" source of living water and his life "is like" the tree that is planted near a river yielding fruit and not withering. The key here is the fruit bearing and the non-withering due to an endless supply of water from the river.

The concern here is that we too often settle for "surface water." We seek the things that spiritually stir us, move us, or excite us and we think we're all set. As wonderful as these things may be, they cannot sustain us in the desert, struggles or storms. The parched land of suffering, doubt, pain, and struggle, require deep roots that are tapped into the supply of living water that gives life and strength - Jesus. You can be sure that each of us will face such times as these, and if our roots haven't been sent deep we will wither and be fruitless. But, if we have sent our roots deep, we will be vibrant and fruitful, in all circumstances.

Beloved, let us not settle for surface water. Let us be "like the tree planted by the streams" having our life's roots firmly embedded into Jesus - the Stream of Living Water.

Keep close to Jesus.

The image here is a beautiful. "He is like a tree planted by the streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither." Can you see it? The tree stands tall before us with each branch laden with delicious fruit, ready to be picked and enjoyed. This is what the Christian, whose roots are grounded in the Lord, is like; he bears beautiful fruit. Jesus may have had this verse in mind when He spoke about the vine and branches in John 15. He too said that branches "who abide" in Him, the True Vine, will "bear much fruit." But what is the fruit that we will bear?

There are several possible answers to this question. Fruit bears the identity and character of the tree, as well as the seed by which the tree reproduces itself. With this simple understanding, we can see that the Christian is to bear the identity and character of Jesus. Paul helps here by describing the "Fruit of the Spirit." This fruit is no different from that which is spoken of in the verses already mentioned? The Spirit is Christ in us, one with the Father and Son. His fruit is that which we are to bountiful bear. By being rooted and grounded in Christ and constantly being "pruned by the Father," (John 15) our lives evidence the very nature and character of Christ in increasing measure. Our fruit is recognizable - Christ.
 

Fruit also "holds seed." As our lives are lived out for Christ, ever bearing fruit, this fruit releases the seed - the gospel - into the world so that it will land on others, prayerfully taking root. Jesus spoke about this phenomenon in a parable. Our task is not to "win others to Jesus," as much as it "to bear fruit which releases seed." Fruit is not, as some would suggest, "how many I have won to Jesus." Rather it is, "how much do I reveal the nature and character of Christ, thereby, releasing seed upon all I come in contact with."

We cannot determine how much fruit we bear. We can only keep ourselves rooted and grounded in Christ allowing His streams of living water flow through us. Then we will be "like a tree planted by the streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."

Keep close to Jesus.

The Christian who is firmly rooted in Christ Jesus, drawing his nourishment, sustenance, and strength from the Living water, and bearing fruit will prosper in everything he does. This simple, declarative sentence in Psalm 1 knocks the wind out of us. Can it really being saying that Christians will prosper at every endeavor they attempt? Catch your breath, beloved. That is exactly what it says. But, (you knew it was coming didn't you) in our celebration of this wonderful promise we need to be sure we celebrate correctly. To celebrate correctly we must have a proper definition of "prosper." Where do we find the correct definition? God has given it to us in His Word.

There was a time when Israel forget the important message of this Psalm and began to "walk in counsel of the wicked." Indeed, they invited the wicked in. They danced, and sang with them. The result was devastating. Jerusalem fell. Israel was crushed and taken into exile. Out of the ashes and rubble God spoke again to His people. He used the very same voice that He used to warn them earlier, a warning they chose not to heed. Jeremiah became God's mouth piece:

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you and will bring you back from captivity." (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)

God's plan for His people have not changed. His plans are for us to prosper, to have a hope and a future. But, too often we allow the temporal to define our prosperity, our hope, our future. Be honest. When you began to celebrate that everything you would do as a Christian would prosper, did you not think of your bank account? Your business? Your investments? Prosperity for Christians is not defined in these terms. Rather it is defined by our life in Christ. It speaks of righteousness and holiness. Christian prosperity has to do with God's plan for us. There is no denying the plain truth, that the Christian described in this Psalm, will prosper in whatever he does. Whatever he does will glorify God; will reveal the fruit that he bears; will fulfill God's purposes; will work good in his life - he will prosper.

Let us celebrate beloved. Our prosperity can never be destroyed by rust or stolen by thieves. Let us celebrate, for our prosperity is sure and eternal. How rich we are!

Keep Close to Jesus.

Its not quite time to leave this wonderful passage in Psalm 1 yet. Remember, this verse speaks of the individual "whose delight is in the law of the Lord" on which "he meditates day and night." This verse speaks volumes about one's personal Bible study and mediation. This is how the tree pushes its roots down deep and can therefore be fruitful in all weather conditions. But is that all that is included in delighting in the law of the Lord?

A group of trees that have amazed and astonished millions by their size and age have an interesting lesson to teach us. The giant redwoods do not have the deep root system that we might imagine. In fact, all things considered, they have a rather shallow root system. How is it then that they have stood so strong over all these many years? The key is in the fact that giant redwoods grow in groves. Each tree intertwines its roots with the others giving them tremendous strength. They defiantly shout to the potentially destructive storms that rage, "take all or take none; we do not stand alone!"

Holiness is never a solitary thing. As with the giant redwoods, so with we Christians. The one who "mediates on the law of the Lord both day and night" is one who knows well, that if he is separated from the people of God he is destined to failure and demise. The fruitfulness spoken of in this verse (and others) cannot be achieved individually, only corporately, within community. Ephesians 4:12, 13 addresses this vital aspect of holy living; God gives gifts to His people "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [have a strong secure root system] until all reach unity [a root system intertwined] in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ [being a tree that produces fruit and prospers]."

Those who refuse to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, walk in the counsel of the godly. Christianity can not be lived out in isolation. We really do need each other!

Keep close to Jesus (and His people).
Pastor Gerry