Do you know that Palm Tree has its own significance? It is so special that if we learn of its characteristics and find that we can learn of it.
J.S. Baxter has listed several wonderful characteristics of a palm tree.
- Uprightness. Whether the tree is planted on a plain or on a slope it grows uniformly upright. When we look at the palm tree we are looking at a 90 degree of uprightness.
- Its overcoming power even in the midst of dearth and drought of the dessert. The palm tree flourishes despites of most difficult circumstances.
- Its way of growth. Other trees add a new outer ring to the trunk every year but for the palm tree grows inwardly from the centre.
- Evergreen nature. The nature of this tree knows not of autumn browness or winter bareness.
- Beauty stature. It bears its fruit for the eyes of heaven rather than for the eyes of man. Its feather-like leaves provide a welcome shade for the weary travellers. Where the palm tree stands there is water besides it.
- Usefulness. It yields dates, palm sugar and palm wine. The older the tree is the sweeter its fruit.
The characteristics of this palm tree can shows us who Christ is. And we are called to follow His steps or characters.
The first characteristics of the palm tree represent Christ is our perfect standard of uprightness. The well known song "Ascribe Greatness ... good and upright is He". Thus we need to be upright.
Secondly, Christ came into this fallen world and sinful environment yet He lives a sinless life and overcame it with God's word. He overcome the power of death and grave through His death and resurrection. Romans 8:37 "No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!" As Christ has overcome, we have complete victory and we are more than a conquerors.
Kingdom of Christ grows from the centre. Christ wants our inward sanctification of heart and renewal of mind. Building of character you may say. He always changing us into a new creation. Paul afirmed this saying in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!".
Word of God never fails and it refreshes to those who trust in His word. His faithfullness is new every morning. The Psalmist put it this way, Psalms 1:3 "He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts".
Christ's beauty is the eyes of heaven. 1 Peter 3:3-4, "Let your beauty not be external—the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes— but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." Our heart and character must reflect the beauty of our Lord.
Lastly, we need to bless others. Our fruits is to bless others. We need to be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21).
When Christians get into heaven to meet the King of Glory, we will see palm tree again. All God's people from every tribe and nations get together holding palm branches in their hands to welcome our King Rev 7:9 .
2 comments:
Hello brother, amazing reflections on the scriptures. What trees do you suppose the bible is speaking off in Psalm 1?
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. -Ps1:1-3
No wonder the righteous are called Blessed. How apt and appropriate that sweet label upon the people of the LORD. Like a sturdy tree, the righteous man is rooted in God's truth. And daily he shall receive from the fresh stream - that water of life. O' what a glorious place has the Blessed. He shall be like a sturdy tree by the river of water.
That river of water is a type of our Lord Jesus who is the Giver of the living water ( John 4:10 ). Now that the righteous man shall forever be deriving that water from its source, he will never thirst again ( John 4:14 ). That water shall nourish him and he will be satisfied. O' what glorious and good place it would be, to be a tree growing by the river of water.
This tree, however, is not a wild tree that grew from the ground by itself. Nay, it was planted. By whom? By the One who owns that river and the land around it, indeed by Him who owns the Universe. For no one comes to the living water unless the Father wills so. Blessed is that man!
That tree by the river, how it will not fail to bear fruits. There is not one season that it ceases to produce. As the coming of the season, so the appearing of its fruits. And its seasons shall always be plentiful. The tree is fruitful forever for it withers not. How can it possibly die? For no one dies after drinking of the living water. How can they die? As soon as they drink of that water, it shall become a fountain that gushes up into eternal life ( John 4:14 ). Blessed is that man!
That tree will not be fell because it never ceases to bear fruits at its appointed time. Just like the tree, the righteous man shall never fail to produce good deeds in his appointments. He shall not be cut off who produces good and pleasant things. In all he does, he shall prosper. Blessed is that man!
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