Like Trees by Streams of Water

Like a Tree Planted by Streams of Water

Blessed is the one

          who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

          or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

          and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

          which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

          whatever they do prospers.

                                                - Psalm 1:1-3

My family and I love to go to Colorado. We have a family cabin in Estes Park, and we try to make the trek to Colorado at least once every year.

The mountains of Colorado are rugged, and the summers are dry (except for the occasional afternoon thunderstorms that pop up every now and then). When we go hiking, the trees along the trails are scrawny and relatively sparse. But when we look down the mountains to the streams that flow from peak to valley, the trees get thicker and the vegetation is more lush. Life is more abundant along the stream.

The psalmist speaks of trees by springs of water. They flourish, and they bear fruit in season. That's because by the water they receive the nourishment they need to thrive.

But when the psalmist speaks of trees by springs of water, he isn't really talking about trees, is he? He's talking about you and me, when we delight in God's word, and meditate on it day and night. You see, just as the stream provides necessary nourishment to the plants along its banks, so does God feed and nourish our soul through his word.

But it's about more than just being fed. It's also about bearing fruit. The tree planted by streams of water is the one that bears fruit in its season; the person who feeds on God's word also bears fruit:

          - the fruit of justice for the  oppressed

          - the fruit of hospitality for the stranger and the  

             outcast

          - the fruit of kindness and love for the neighbor

          - the fruit of faithful obedience

          - the fruit of forgiveness for the sinner

          - the fruit of compassion and relief for the poor, 

             the homeless, the hungry

          - the fruit of caring for the widow, the orphan, 

             the  alien

Come to the water. Come, and drink abundantly, and be satisfied.

And bear fruit.

Amen.