Planted by the Rivers of Water

I mentioned last week that I was going to get away for a few days of refreshment. What a blessing to go with my twin sister to Fairhaven Ministries. It’s on Roan Mountain where the temperatures are a bit cooler, the pace much slower, and the opportunities to refresh yourself are everywhere.

The Lord answered many prayers about the weekend. The first one was that Dianne and I would both be able to attend. Another prayer He answered was concerning the weather. We’ve had a good amount of rain as of late, and the forecast was for SHOWERS all weekend. It rained Friday morning while we were having a session, then after lunch we had the afternoon free until 6 pm. It was amazing to see the Lord move the clouds back and bring the sun out! My sister and I enjoyed an invigorating hike in the woods by Roaring Creek. We enjoyed views like these –
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord speaks to us in nature? The path we were on took us right beside the creek. I was amazed to see a tree whose roots were on a rock stretching out to the creek. If you look at the picture below you can see the roots on the left side.

My sister and I began quoting Psalm 1 when we saw it – Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 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. 4 The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Do you and I thirst for God’s Word like this tree thirsted for water? Do we stretch ourselves to get it because we need it so desperately? Are we willing to press up against hard things to get it – things like sleepiness in the morning, preoccupations with other activities, or just lack of desire?

When we take in God’s truths we will be fruitful and won’t wither up – that’s God’s promise to us! When hard times come we have Truths to cling to and promises to claim to be an anchor for our souls.

Are we planted in our decision to study God’s Word? That would characterize someone who is committed. They won’t be hit and miss in their devotional time – they’re PLANTED there because they are thirsty.