Psalm 92:12, 14-15: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon . . . They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”
We are used to seeing palm trees in California and sap on various trees. But did you know how unique palm trees and cedar trees in the country of Lebanon are?
- Palm trees can grow up to 120 feet tall.
- An African oil palm produces two types of oil. It is used chiefly in making soaps and ointments.
- Palm trees are robust and can withstand severe weather. They will bend and be flexible in a wind storm and normally not break. It has been reported that they can bend over 40 to 50 degrees without snapping during a storm.
- Their root system is so secure that it will not be uprooted and will survive no matter what the weather conditions contain.
- Can live up to 200 years old.
- Unlike other trees, as the palm tree grows it will break a band that is placed on its trunk.
- The author of Psalm 92 likened the righteous to that of a palm tree.
A righteous man, as it says in Psalm 92, will have the Lord’s positive presence and blessing in all areas of his life. He will grow strong in the Lord and not collapse much like a palm and cedar tree continue to grow despite adverse circumstances. Cedar trees are resistant to decay and disease, so they symbolized a long life. They live to be up to 3000 years old. Cedar trees in that geographical location were prized for their high-quality timber, oils, and resins. They were used in the construction of ships, palaces (David’s and Solomon’s), and temples. Lebanese cedar lumber resisted disease and decay in salt water better than most type of wood. Isaiah 60:13 states: “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane, and the pine to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious.”
Likewise, those that have a stable relationship with the Lord will stay strong and have perseverance in withstanding the storms of life. We can have confidence and stability as we trust in God during the sticky times. We get opportunities to trust God more as we mature in our life on this earth. “Been there, done that” becomes a shadow of remembrance in observing those younger than ourselves as we age. Some call it acquired wisdom from experience.
However, just because you are a Christian, doesn’t guarantee we won’t have trials in life. Jesus said in John 16:33: “. . . In the world you will have tribulation . . . “ Remember what happened to Job? Remember Stephen? Stephen was stoned to death at a young age. Acts 6:8; 7:59: “And Stephen, full of grace and power was doing great wonders and signs among the people. . . And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
God just says to us, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8. In other words, it is like God is saying to us, “be that as it may, trust me. I am the great I am.”
The author of Psalm 92 goes on to say that even when palm and cedar trees are fully mature, they are full of sap. The sticky substance that drips on your car when parked under a tree, is sap. The sap is a vital part of a tree’s life. Hormones, nutrients, vitamins, all make-up the contents of fluid (sap) which gives the tree its life from the soil to the rest of the plant. A tree will ooze or drip out sap due to pruning, pests, be damaged, or have a disease. For example, when a bark beetle invades a tree, the tree will produce its sap as a matter of defense and to prevent the insect from laying eggs.
Wisdom to be gained from Psalm 92:12-14:
- Evaluate how you spend your time. Remember every person’s days are numbered. We each get one day to live at a time to fulfill God’s purposes. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not here yet.
- The palm tree and cedar tree symbolize strength. Take time to verbally praise God for the grace and mercy He has freely given so you can become all that He wants you to be. Keep on keeping on for God. Have perseverance. Neither one of these trees reach their full growth in a day. It takes time.
- Even in our older years we can still “bear fruit.” Be vigorous in obedience and in taking in God’s wisdom from His Word daily and live it.
Verses to put into practice to deepen our spiritual roots and be filled with scripture nutrients to our heart (think of it as our sap):
1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Colossians 1:10: “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Ephesians 6:16-18: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
Getting sticky sap on your car or skin is irritating. But the sap serves a purpose in protecting the tree. When a tree is green under its bark, it shows that it is alive and not dead. It will still produce leaves and continue to grow. Trials in life have a similar purpose. They cause us to grow and realize we cannot make it on our own. God is our strength. He is our rock. God is molding us into His image, and sometimes it comes in the form of discipline. His purpose is to make us stronger.
Only when you have felt a particular deep hurt in life can you in turn, encourage and comfort others that are needing your consoling “apples of gold – words fitly spoken (Proverbs 25:11).”
I never seem to learn from my successes. But oh the lessons I have learned from my mistakes!
Do you ever feel old and useless? As long as you are still breathing God has a plan for your life. Psalm 90:12 HCSB states: “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.”
What trial(s) in life have you and God worked through together that has made you a stronger woman of God? You need to share these lessons you have learned with a younger woman to encourage her from your story.
Remember a picture of a palm tree or a cedar tree in Lebanon next time a windstorm hits your life. Don’t be surprised. Be ready with your armor on.
Remember the purpose of sap? Thrive and grow in obedience to God and feed your soul from a verse or chapter in the book of Psalm that will speak to your heart and protect it (like sap does for a tree). God will be your rock. God will be your refuge. Trust in Him.
“Often in the desert you will find orange or lemon trees growing beneath the shade of palms grouped together.” Brian Bell. How important fellowshipping with other Christians is so needed for our refreshment and encouragement.
Who does God want you to share with that He is good and just?
Who is your spiritual mentor? Why?
“Adversity is not simply a tool. It is God’s most effective tool for the advancement of our spiritual lives. The circumstances and events that we see as setbacks are oftentimes the very things that launch us into intense periods of spiritual growth. Once we begin to understand this, and accept it as a spiritual fact of life, adversity becomes easier to bear.” Charles Stanley.
Be a living testimony that the Lord is faithful to His promises. You are one of them! “They (insert your name here) still bear fruit in old age; they (insert your name again) are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Psalm 92:14-15.
Listen to Danny Gokey’s song: “Masterpiece.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJMQdJeqXrs