Teachings of Nature
Teachings – Trees Planted in the House of the Lord
TREES PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
UNFOLDING TEN
WHERE WE ARE
We’ve left the thicket of thorns and thistles – well, at least for now, and we move on to the house of the Lord where trees are planted. Specifically, trees that He planted.
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 2: 9
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”
Psalms 1: 3
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
TREES PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
UNFOLDING TEN
If we are in Christ Jesus, then we are as a tree planted in the house of the Lord. Yes, but how did that come about? What can we learn from our planting? Pastor explains this to us:
- Planting implies there has been something done for us that we could not do for ourselves. This is a work of grace in our heart, mind, and soul.
- There is a great change in our position/location,
“… for a tree that has been planted has been growing someplace else.”
3. There is life in us. God would not plant dead stumps in His court. Lastly,
4. We must take hold/root in the soil where we were placed.
Yes, if the tree is transplanted by our Lord, we shall flourish for God said it. His promises are sure to be fulfilled. Not only because He promised but because of the goodness/richness of the soil we have been planted. Specifically, the Lord has planted us where:
- the means of God’s grace abounds,
- Christians help one another with mutual fellowship,
- the ordinances of the Gospel are freely enjoyed by all who dwell there,
- the Holy Spirit has promised to abide,
- the Word of God does not return void,
- the eye and heart of Christ perpetually rest. and finally,
- We are in a sheltered place.
THOUGHT GOING FORWARD
A tree planted; not a seed planted in the house of the Lord. Why not a seed… let’s say of a mustard seed, which subsequently grew into a tree? No, that seed – the seed of God’s grace and forever-intention to save was planted in one’s heart. When that seed of faith was later quickened, the whole tree was uprooted and planted in the house of the Lord. This speaks to a working of the grace of God in a mature individual, fully accountable for his or her decision-making, but foreknown and predestinated in its re-planting.
IN TRIBUTE TO SPURGEON’S LOVE OF SHORT RHYMES
A tree uprooted – glory be!
for a seed once planted
in the muck of misery.
