How does the righteous flourish like a palm tree? This seems like a strange question. Yet God compares the righteous with the palm tree in His Word.
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:12-13 ESV)
The righteous flourish like a palm tree in several ways. They are beautiful, flexible, and deeply rooted in God and His Word. The righteous are also generous and able to supply many needs while withstanding any storm life may bring their way.
Now let’s explore each of these characteristics in-depth.
First, who are the righteous?
We need to establish who the righteous are first. The righteous is anyone that has been born again or saved. The moment we made Jesus Lord of our life; we became the righteous.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 CSB)
The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. (Romans 3:22 CSB)
If you are born again by taking Jesus as your Lord, then stop doubting if you are righteous. It is not your actions that make you righteous. This is where many Christians confuse the issue. They think because they do something that is a sin; they are not righteous.
Here is righteousness in simple terms: righteousness is who you are. Holiness is what you do.
Stop confusing the two and be the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Accept the fact God made you righteous, and that is who you are.
The Righteous are Beautiful as They Flourish
Palm trees are tall, graceful trees reaching upwards with their crown of large green leaves. Seeing a group of palm trees outlined against the sunset is an unforgettable experience. Their long, slender trunks lend them an air of elegance that is matchless. It appears as if the palm tree is reaching towards heaven with its large leaves lifted in praise to God.
This is the picture of how the righteous should be. We are to be beautiful, just as the palm tree is. How can we be beautiful?
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. (Romans 10:15 CSB)
The righteous are beautiful when they share the good news of the Gospel. We are to be ready to share the Gospel at every opportunity. (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 and 1 Peter 3:15)
Our beauty is not outward. Our beauty is inward. It is a matter of our heart.
We are called to share the Gospel everywhere our feet take us. The ministry of reconciliation should be a direct response to our becoming a new creation. We have something to share that is important and will transform a person’s life.
This is what God sees as beautiful: His righteous saints sharing His good news to His creation.
Then, in response to all that God has done for us, our heart, and many times our hands, should be lifted to God in praise. We should reach for heaven just like the beautiful, stately, and elegant palm tree.
Every Christian is called to the ministry of reconciliation the moment they are born again. It is a vial ministry for the Kingdom of God. Some call it witnessing or evangelism. It should be natural for the believer. You can learn more about is by reading my articles:
The Righteous Flourish Because They are Flexible
I am amazed when I watch footage of a hurricane and see the wind causing the palm trees to bend at almost ninety degrees. Every other tree snap yet the palm just bends with the wind. Palm trees are flexible.
This is because God did not make palm trees of cellulose like all the other trees. In fact, a palm tree has more in common with grass than it does with trees. When you look at the palm tree’s trunk, there are no rings like other trees. Instead, there are fibers running the length of the trunk. This allows the palm tree to bend without breaking.
God has called the righteous to be flexible. We are to bend with circumstances and not snap in anger, frustration, or despair. Look at what Paul said to the church at Philippi:
I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13 CSB)
Circumstances are not to overwhelm us. Difficult people should not frustrate us and cause us to be angry. There is no room for despair in a Christians life.
One of the fruit of the spirit is self-control. (see: Galatians 5:22) If anybody has self-control, it should be the Christian. Our self-control doesn’t come from inner human fortitude. It comes from God.
Next time circumstances, situations, and people are about to overwhelm you, stop and think of the palm tree in a hurricane. Be flexible and bend to the storm knowing that you have put God in control.
The Righteous Flourish Because They are Deeply Rooted
Another reason a palm tree stays upright when other trees are blown over, is its root system. Palm trees are deeply rooted, but in a way that is different than other trees. Instead of a deep tap root. Palm trees have a fibrous root system that spreads out into the surrounding soil like a mat. These roots penetrate the first thirty-six inches of the soil.
Instead of a few large roots anchored in the soil, palms produce a multitude of smaller roots that spread out into the topsoil. With many roots in the ground, the palm has a much denser root ball. This larger volume of soil gives the palm tree a heavier base to withstand conditions that destroy other trees.
The righteous must be deeply rooted too. Our spiritual roots need to go deep in Christ and the Word of God. Paul said, “So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” (Colossians 2:6-7 CSB)
We must be deeply rooted in Christ. Just like the palm tree, our roots need to be numerous and spread out in Christ. We are to make our foundation in Christ so dense that no storm of life can uproot us. As we read and study God’s Word and His promises, our roots become intertwined in Christ.
In this way, we will be stable and able to bend to the storm without being uprooted.
Bible study is vital for our spiritual success. It is the only food for our spirit. Here are some articles that will help you understand the importance of Scripture for our lives:
A Life of Success in Three Bold Steps
First Bold Step to Your Success
Meditate Scripture | The Next Essential Step to Your Successful Life
The Righteous Flourish Because They are Givers
The palm tree in Scripture is always the date palm. It is a giving tree because it is the most useful of all trees. It not only provides dates to eat, but it also provides timber and material to make crates and furniture, baskets, ropes, cordage, packing material, thread, mats, and to roof homes.
The date palm is also used to make sugar, vinegar, alcohol, wine, honey, syrup, oil, resin, tannin, dyestuff, and provides food for cattle. Useful is an understatement. The date palm provides for many needs.
Its fruit gets sweeter as the tree gets older which is compared to the believer in Psalm 92:13-14: “Planted in the house of the Lord, they thrive in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green.”
This is a wonderful picture of a Christian. Jesus said it was important we bear fruit. To know our fruit gets sweeter as we age is a beautiful thing. The older we get, the better our fruit is.
“…and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 CSB)
Christians are called to be givers. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing. Whenever there is a need, Christians are called to meet the need, whatever it may be. We are to be giving of our resources, energy, finances, time, knowledge, and of God’s Word.
The righteous flourish like the palm tree because God equips us to meet any need.
The Righteous Flourish Where God Plants Them
Then there is the climate it grows in. The climate where the date palm flourishes is just as harsh as the soil is infertile. Yet, the date palm is impervious to the changing climatic conditions. It not only grows, but flourishes in the extreme climate, surviving blazing heat and freezing cold.
The righteous are the same way. We thrive wherever we are planted. We are not stunted by adverse circumstances. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (ESV)
So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36 CSB)
You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. Trust in the Lord forever, because in the Lord, the Lord himself, is an everlasting rock! (Isaiah 26:3-4 CSB)
The Righteous Flourish Surviving Any Storm
- Their large root ball which provides a firm foundation.
- Their lack of cellulose that allows them to be flexible.
- Their lack of branches. They grow large leaves that fold up like a paper fan in a storm.
How Can You Flourish Like the Palm Tree?
- Form a massive root ball that is intertwined in Christ. We do this through studying God’s Word. We find and identify His promises to us, therefore building our faith. We then trust His promises over what we feel and experience. Each time we stand firm in adversity, we grow more roots and make our root ball even larger.
- Be flexible. Bend to the storm through your trust in God. Know that He is faithful and will bring you through every storm the enemy brings your way. Remember the words of the psalmist, “One who is righteous has many adversities, but the Lord rescues him from them all.” (Psalm 34:19 CSB)
- Always reach for heaven like the stately palm tree. Keep praising God through the storm. Praise exhibits faith and it is through faith we overcome the world. “Because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.” (1 John 5:4 CSB)
- Be a giver. Seek out opportunities to meet someone’s need. The righteous are the Jesus the world sees. God has promised to meet our needs abundantly. “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 CSB) These are not mere words. They are a promise to us from our God.
- Thrive where God plants you. Know that God has promised many times in His Word to take care of all our needs. Study Matthew 6:25-33. Renew your faith in God’s promise to meet all your needs. As I write this, gasoline is at an all-time high price. There are shortages in the stores and inflation is once more rocketing upwards. Yet I have God’s promises to take care of all my needs. All I must do is this: “But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33 CSB)
- Be fruitful; abounding in good works. Show the fruit of the spirit to the world. Know, that as you age, your fruit will get sweeter and sweeter. Through your good works, those on the receiving end will give glory to God. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 CSB)
You Are the Righteous and You Can Flourish Like a Palm Tree
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