Jeremiah 17:5-8 “Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his are, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. 6-For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in theh wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7-Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8-For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that speadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
The Bible uses trees and sheeps to metaphorically describe those that trust in Him. Let us take a look at the definitions of a tree.
The American Heritage Dictionary: 1) a perennial woody plant having a main trunk and distinct crown. 2) A wooden beam, post, stake, or bar used as part of a framework or structure. 3) A diagram showing a family lineage. 4) A cross on which Jesus was crucified.
Informal definition: 5) To force into a difficult position; corner. 6) To stretch. 7) In a situation of great difficulty or perplexity; helpless.
______________________________
To me this revelation is great, even huge if you can catch a glimps of it. The Sons of God are part of the framework of Christianity. Because we publicly made our great confession of believing on Him, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, made us engrafted into the Kingdom of God – family lineage.
Like A Tree – Let’s break down the characteristics:
Point #1
We have a distinctive look. The Bible teaches us in the Book of Matthew 12:33-35 “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit…..”
Point #2
Because we are in Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus is in us – The teachings in the Book of John 15:4 and the Book of Ephesians 3:17, because He is embedded in us, our roots will grow down into GOD’s Love and keep us strong. As we come together in fellowship, we are exemplifying stakes and post in the ground as believers. When Satan tries to enter, he sees a perimeter. That perimeter in his view is our understanding of how wide, how long, how high, and how deep the LORD’s Love is according to the Book of Ephesians 3:18.
Point #3
The Book of Psalms 92:12-15, declares that the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
Point #4
He was placed on a tree for our sins, iniquities, trespasses and transgressions. Isaiah 53
Point #5
The Book of Luke 9:23 Jesus is teaching us to take up our own cross to the place of crucifixion daily. We live to serve His purpose. You can’t be selfish, it doesn’t feel good and you are never at rest. Are you willing to deny yourself and follow Christ? Anything less is not discipleship; it is merely superficial lip service.
Point #6
The Book of Proverbs 3:18 teaches us that Wisdom is the Tree of Life. How much of Her are we seeking. The rings of the inside of the tree are layers of weathered storms, years of growth. The bark will always look the same even during a shedding period. This isn’t the same as putting on a mask – this is knowing Who is your Strength and Protection.
Point #7
Like A Tree – How are we to live in partnership with Christ Jesus? 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; I’ll give you this one myself: “3-Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: 4-But in tall things approving ourselves as the ministers of GOD, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5-In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fasting; 6-By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffing, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7-By the Word of Truth, by the Power of GOD, byt the armour of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8-By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9-As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10-As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
Like A Tree – Have large deep roots, strong outer layer, know your time for seed and time for harvest, enjoy a gentle breeze. You can weather many storms, bear fruit, much fruit that brings pleasure to those that taste or observe. Your branches not only bears fruit but your branches are also extensions that can reach out to help the smallest creatures get from one place to the next or provide shelter in a storm or comfort as shade on a hot day. A place where some make a home and others for a distant view of what is beyond the valley they must of through.
But notice that the tree’s strength is in it’s roots. No matter how young or old the tree(Palm Tree specifically) is, it’s roots are out to sight. The roots grow so long and deep in the earth it can break through cement. It can uproot a house. Anything that obstructs it’s growth it can grow through or it will develop many, many-many extensions around that obstruction, covering it like a force shield and keep growing.
The roots of a tree continue to live when the body of a tree is cut down and used. some roots are visible – they may be exposed, but they are strong, they keep growing. To kill the Tree, you have to expose and dry out the Root. To expose or dry out the Root, you have to loose its soil.
To kill my spirit, you have to take the Word out of my heart. To take the Word out of my heart – Well, that is a matter of self-destruction, which you don’t have that kind of power over me. My identity is in Christ Jesus – He is the True Vine and I am the Branch, We are One.
Psalm 1:1-3 “1-Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2-But his delight is in the Law of the LORD; and in His Law doth he meditate day and night. 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 not prosper.”