The Blessed Ones

"Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD....For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit" Jeremiah 16:8

How insignificant a seed appears in comparison to a mighty tree but with the right nourishment a tiny seed can grow and burst forth into the mightiest of oaks. With strong roots able to to stand tall even when storms and great heat comes, with leaves staying green and healthy even in times of drought, always bearing fruit, strong and inspiring.

Fruit bearing lives. Live bursting in full bloom. In beauty. In strength. Grace pouring out releasing a fragrant aroma for others to enjoy. I have been so richly blessed as I have experienced such abundance and blessings from others, benefiting from the fruit in their lives. How they have provided me with shade from the heat, strength from their roots that are firmly planted, being always inspired by their leaves remaining brightly colored as their branches gracefully extend out to touch my life. I have been blessed and encouraged in watching them grow, from the tiniest of seeds to the mightiest of trees. How blessed I am for knowing them because of their love for Christ that is displayed in their lives.

The life giving fruit they produce symbolizes the yielded condition of their souls as they have allowed the Lord to use them and prune them while radiating His joy. They demonstrate God's peace because they know He is in complete control of the momentary afflictions. Their faith growing deep roots because from the time they were first planted in Christ as small and what may have appeared as seemingly insignificant they grew, maturing, with a steadfast determination and they now stand tall and strong. They now bless many others with the wisdom and counsel they have received from gleaning from the Lord and bowing to His will.

I thought this morning of the mighty trees I pass along the country roads, amazed by their beauty and strength to stand tall over many years, enduring the many seasons, the many storms, and remaining so mighty and strong. Their roots extending down deep into the earth, twice their height, and becoming the most important part of their existence. If the tree's root systems are healthy and strong, they will prosper. Their roots are a paralleled picture of their health. A beautiful picture of our life spiritually as the Lord describes the 'one who is blessed' to a tree planted by the 'waters' who hopes in the Lord and whose life is unfading. (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

I am blessed as the Lord brings to remembrance old friends and new friends the Lord has brought in my life over the last several years. I am blessed as I think of His perfect work in so many lives. Women who have come looking for nourishment, many barren once in unbelief, many weary from the storms that were raging against their weary hearts, but many who have found that the Lord exceeded above and beyond their greatest expectations as they surrendered their hearts to Him.

They now stand tall in great confidence in the promises of God; serving on the mission field, leading small groups, serving in church, serving their husbands and children, ministering to friends and other women God has brought upon their path. Now beautiful and mighty fruit bearing trees extending the choicest and sweetest of fruit. Spiritual fruit. Sharing Christ. Encouraging others. Encouraging me.

It is one of the greatest miracles in nature how God makes a tiny seed and grows it into a tree...and it is an even greater miracle of how God's transforming grace takes our lives from tiny seeds and grows us mightily in Him as we dig our roots deep into His Word. Our branches begin to grow and touch others as we sow seeds on every kind of soil. We will be effective in our homes and ministries as we maintain the nourishment our root systems need, our first priority. More than just a few drops of water each week, but to soak in the water of His Word and by the water of His Spirit each day. Establishing us. Growing us. Strengthening us. Using us.

Our homes will become lighthouses for drifting souls, hospitals for the hurting, safe havens for the broken ......sharing the greatest news that ever touched our lives as we spread the seed of God's Word on every kind of ground. The Harvest is the Lord's. Some will sprout. Some will shrivel. Some will grow.

"He who puts confidence in man, shall be like the heath in a desert, a naked tree, a sorry shrub, the product of barren ground, useless and worthless. Those who trust to their own righteousness and strength, and think they can do without Christ, make flesh their arm and their souls cannot prosper in graces and comfort........Those who make God their hope, shall flourish like a tree always green, whose leaf does not wither. They shall be fixed in peace and satisfaction of mind; they shall not be anxious in year of drought. Those who make God their Hope, have enough in Him. They shall not cease from yielding fruit in holiness and good works" (Matthew Henry)

"....this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing...so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:5-6, 10)

"Blessed is the one, who trusts in Me", who remains in Christ, becoming like this tree Jeremiah writes of, not barely surviving but flourishing.

Michelle A. Guerra