Verse of the Day 8/16

Verse of the Day 8/16

Psalm 104:16  The trees of the Lord are well cared for—

    the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.   New Living Translation (NLT)

In most instances, when I think of trees as referenced in the Bible I think of Psalm 1:3 and the tree planted next to the stream that does not wither.  Not all trees are planted by the stream, sometimes God plants them in rocky places, nevertheless, He provides for them, they are well cared for in the place that God plants them.

As I was traveling through Yosemite National Park I had a view of a mountain and up near the top there stood a tree which appeared to be growing right out of the rock.  It made me wonder how many storms that it had to withstand, how many droughts, still it stood and grew and the taller it grows the more remarkable it becomes.

Charles Spurgeon writes, "the cedars of Lebanon are not dependent upon man for their watering; they stand on the lofty rock, unmoistened by human irrigation; and yet our heavenly Father supplieth them. Thus it is with the Christian who has learned to live by faith. He is independent of man, even in temporal things; for his continued maintenance he looks to the Lord his God, and to him alone. The dew of heaven is his portion, and the God of heaven is his fountain. Again, the cedars of Lebanon are not protected by any mortal power. They owe nothing to man for their preservation from stormy wind and tempest. They are God's trees, kept and preserved by him, and by him alone. It is precisely the same with the Christian. He is not a hot-house plant, sheltered from temptation; he stands in the most exposed position; he has no shelter, no protection, except this, that the broad wings of the eternal God always cover the cedars which he himself has planted. "

So it may be with us.  We may be planted near the stream, able to be nourished by it day by day or in a forest where there is strength in numbers, in community.  Sometimes it may seam like we've been planted somewhere where we are alone, left on an island or up on a rock.  God still feeds us through His word and His Spirit.  He has given us the roots to draw from what  cannot be seen.  Our standing is a testimony of His grace, His provision and at the same time a testimony of what God can do.

God causes all things to grow
Through every season we know
He will guard the life
That He's planted in our souls
And when we feel the cold winds blow
We'll hold to what we know
God causes all things to grow   (Steve Green)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Psalm 104:16-23The Message (MSG)

^14-23 Oh yes, God brings grain from the land,
    wine to make people happy,
Their faces glowing with health,
    a people well-fed and hearty.
God's trees are well-watered—
    the Lebanon cedars he planted.
Birds build their nests in those trees;
    look—the stork at home in the treetop.
Mountain goats climb about the cliffs;
    badgers burrow among the rocks.
The moon keeps track of the seasons,
    the sun is in charge of each day.
When it's dark and night takes over,
    all the forest creatures come out.
The young lions roar for their prey,
    clamoring to God for their supper.
When the sun comes up, they vanish,
    lazily stretched out in their dens.
Meanwhile, men and women go out to work,
    busy at their jobs until evening.