Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

To be able to flourish in each season we must be planted in good soil and must have our roots buried fairly deep in that soil. The higher you desire to grow the deeper your roots must descend. The ability to withstand all that is thrown at us during the worst periods of each season is dependent on the depth to which our roots have dug down. In the spring there is an abundance of rain which waters the plant and encourages growth. However, if the tree grows up before it grows down the propensity to topple over is increased. This is how the Psalmist describes the dullard. They grow rapidly and for all intense and purposes they are seemingly flourishing. But although the rate of growth is rapid, the foundation is not there so when the storms of life come and come they will, he is uprooted and destroyed. On the other hand the righteous are described like the palm tree (v.12). The palm tree is tall and elegant. It produces fruit [palm kernels] that has a variety of uses and it is able to withstand the ravages of winter and the winds in the monsoon. Its ability to bend helps to negotiate all weather conditions. Therefore the righteous [those who do the right thing in the sight of the Lord, and always try to act justly] shall flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar in Lebanon. But the caveat is this they need to be planted in the house of the Lord and it is in his courts that they will flourish (v.13). Those who put their faith in God must implement several things in their lives:-

1.Recognise the need to thank the Lord for the little
things

2. Learn to sing praises to his name

3. Allow the lord to anoint you with fresh oil each
morning

4. Be planted in a particular fellowship where you
are hearing the word often

5. Produce fruit, even when you are old and grey.

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree and shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon and will produce fruit even in old age. Read Psalm 92.