Do You Flourish Like The Palm Tree?

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. (Psalm 92:12-14 NLT)

Do you flourish like the palm tree? What does that even mean? I don’t know about you, but I don’t seem to use the word flourish much. To get a better grasp of its meaning, I turned to Webster.

Definition of flourish: To grow luxuriantly; to increase and enlarge, as a healthy growing plant; to thrive. To be prosperous; to increase in wealth, honor, comfort, happiness, or whatever is desirable; to thrive; to be prominent and influential; specifically, of authors, painters, etc., to be in a state of activity or production.

Why does the Bible compare the godly flourishing to a palm tree? In Scripture, palm trees are always the date palm. They are tall and stately with long, slender trunks capped with beautiful, large fronds. They look like they are trying to reach heaven. Which may be one reason they are compared to the godly or righteous.

To understand why they describe flourishing, you need to understand their importance. The date palm is possibly the most useful tree in the Bible. It not only produced dates but also honey, wine, oil, sugar, dyestuff, thread, tannin, rope, and resin.

Its leaves were used as building material for roofs and fences and woven into baskets and mats. As the tree ages, its fruit gets sweeter, which is why the psalmist wrote in verse fourteen: “Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.”

When you understand the importance of the date palm, then it is easy to understand why the righteous are compared to the date palm. 

Through our covenant with God, we can be useful in many situations. Able to meet a need, whatever it may be. It is time we flourish like the palm tree.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come giving You the praise and honor only You deserve. I thank You for making me flourish like the palm tree. Show me how I can be useful in any situation. As You prosper me, I will help others in need so that they may give the glory to You. Teach me and guide me in the way I should go. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Additional Scriptures:

Isaiah 65:22; Philippians 1:11; John 15:8; Luke 6:43; Malachi 4:2