"It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do what I said."
Ezekiel 17:24 (NLT)
Ezekiel 17:24 (NLT)
The word picture Ezekiel paints with this prophecy is pictured more vividly in the NASB version.
"All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will perform it."
As children of God, we can very easily put ourselves in the place of the tree in this analogy from the great prophet. The Lord speaks and declares that He will take action. He says he will:
- Bring down the high (Discipline His children)
- Exalt the low (Lift up His children)
- Dry up the green (Humble His children)
- Flourish the dry (Advance His children)
The phrases "bring down" and "dry up" hurt my heart as I read them. The thought of being brought down or dried up by the Lord frightened me. In my spirit I asked the Lord how could these actions be avoided. He quickly took my mind to one of my favorite Psalms. The answer to my question is tucked in verse three of Psalm one. We can escape these harsh responses from the Lord if we:
- Delight in the law of the LORD
- Meditate on the law day and night (Joshua 1:8)
- Stay planted by the stream of water, the Living Water, Jesus Christ
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
The benefits to delighting and meditating on the law and staying planted with the Lord are bearing fruit and prosperity. Who would turn down benefits like these? In order to receive benefits of any kind one must meet the requirements.
Ask yourself the question I asked myself: Am I meeting the requirements?
Ask yourself the question I asked myself: Am I meeting the requirements?
6 Comments:
Thank you Wendy for this commentary today! And thank you for quoting Psalm 1! It has long been a favorite of mine!
Shortly after my move to Basel, my father sent me this same verse from Psalm 1 and he also added this tidbit:
I came across this neat comment about its position as not only the first Psalm, but the "gatekeeper" through which readers need to pass each time they read a psalm:
Psalm 1 functions as a garden gate, protecting Israel's sacred hymns against abuse. A problem inherent in liturgy is that it tempts humanity to rigidity and manipulation. Given to magical rituals, some worshipers throughout history have turned religion into a way to get what they want from God. Others have assumed that God is interested only in the proper execution of religious procedures without a corresponding life that is attentive to him. Psalm 1 anticipates these problems. Before entering the Psalter, one must say a hearty "Amen" to Psalm 1. Only the covenant keeper can enter and dwell in God's presence (Pss. 15 and 24), and only those that delight in the Torah can enter the congregation of the righteous who sing the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of the Psalter.
I thought it was good to share. God has even organized His written word to protect it and those who dwell in it! Awesome God indeed!
Karen
Thank you, Wendy! My desire is to delight my Lord, to be the apple of His eye & to study His Word daily. To know Him more as each passing day comes about.
I was listening to Chuck Swindoll yesterday and he was talking about how David was a person that God was delighted with. I was driving in the car, but I had wished I had been able to take notes on the verses he quoted. He spoke of David after God's own heart,(he served God) and his humbleness.
He gave the best story about how we can tell if we have a serving heart. In our daily relationships is it our desire for those around us to be as successful as they can? To work at building those up around us rather than tearing them down, belittling them, etc. He spoke of work situations and home situations. Helping our spouse succeed. Serving our spouse. And being humble. Less of us and more of everyone around us. The opposite of society, really.
Obedience always brings the blessings of God but, the opposite is also true that sin always brings the judgment of God.
Ladies have a wonderful day anticipating and watching for the Glory of God all around you!
Lori - AZ
I like the NASB version~I WILL PERFORM IT....I have been learning I must TRUST-rely totally on the LORD and He will bring things about. Surrendering the reins to Him each and every day! God is showing himself faithful even when I am not. Ps. 1 is AWESOME!! Have a blessed day all of you! Raylene :)
Lori - your point is the main one I took away from today's reading:
Obedience = blessing. Sin = judgement. It's that simple. (Yet sometimes so hard!)
Morgen
A good news post...
Hi all,
I just wanted to give a little update of God moving in my life. I have been waiting on a decision about maternity related benefits. Well, we got some good news last night that we will be getting much more than we planned!! Initially, I was not going to be entilted to any of it, but God made a way when it was impossible and then increased beyond what we dreamed. I am so awed and thankful at God's provision for our little one. 38 weeks and counting :)
Jodie
Reading this post and the comments...thoughts resound in my head..."sin brings judgment".
“‘Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? Says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.’” “‘And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die.’” “‘Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.’” Ezekiel 18:23, 27-28, 30-32
Watching someone dear to me pursue a lifestyle of sin, I long for them to hear these words and find a new heart and spirit. Sadly they are blind to any error in their ways and continue to justify and excuse their behaviour. Actions in complete rebellion of God’s Word speak of their current heart condition, yet they say the Lord is guiding them. One thing I know for sure, God will never, never instruct us to do anything contrary to His Word.
Like John in the wilderness, I long to be that voice that calls for repentance. Repentance is so much more than recognizing that what you are doing is wrong. It’s acknowledging sin as sin. Confessing. Asking for forgiveness. Surrendering. Turning completely around. True repentance is evidenced in a new heart and spirit.
In my own life I think of the many times I have told the Lord how sorry I am for carrying so much fear. True repentance would result in a new heart of trust and a spirit of confidence.
Father, before I am so quick to preach repentance to another, convict my heart and help me remove the log in my own eye.
Praying for the obedience that brings blessings.
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