Psalm 92:12-15 "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him."
I know - last verse same as the first ;) Well, same as yesterday's anyway.
Since we seem to be on the theme of trees and how they mirror attributes of Godly character, I figured it would only be right to talk about 'growing like a cedar of Lebanon'.
First of all, a cedar tree is actually in the evergreen family - it has greenish-blue needles instead of leaves. These are replace every two years or so. It can grow to approximately 80-100 feet tall and 50-100 feet across at the top. I say 'at the top', because a cedar tree left in open space will reach out in a wild array of branches and will be flat-topped. If it's in a densely populated space or the resources aren't sufficient for it to grow that way, it will grow straight up - sort of like a pine tree.
A Lebanon Cedar won't grow it's fruit (cedar cones) until around it's 25 year, when it reaches maturity. They are not prone to disease and require much sun and water to thrive, but over-watering can make the roots begin to rot. That is why it needs to be planted in an area with full sun.
Its oils are said to have properties to repel insects, cure leprosy (Leviticus 14), be made into perfume or cologne, reduce stress, lessen acne. The hardy wood was used to make the interior walls for Solomon's Temple, and many other items for Kings, including thrones.
The cedar does not need to be pruned. It can grow freely. Saying that, the flat-top variety will drop a branch now and then (obviously, it just doesn't need it) which could be hazardous anyone standing underneath, as they can be very heavy.
Green is said to mean life - growth to be ever green is to have life forever, which we, as Christians, do. Blue is grace - so we live a life of grace - favor towards others.
When the Lord thinks us ready - when we reach that age of maturity in the Lord, we begin to bear our fruit. In Christ, we are not prone to disease and sickness, because Jesus paid for all that on the Cross - though there are times when disease and sickness occur due to reasons that we may know or may not ever find out until we 'go Home'.
We need Jesus - the SON to thrive... ever-flowing through and around us through the power of His Spirit. If we receive too much of the Spirit (meaning we receive - but never give out) our roots or our spirits can begin to rot - we may begin to be prideful or see ourselves as superior to others, etc. That is why we need to follow the Lord's leading and be planted where He wants us to be - talking and living among the people He wants - that way we stay in the Son.
We grow not only upward towards the Lord, but at outward towards those in our span of influence to bring them into saving grace. Left in the open - when we are open towards the Lord, we are free to grow and expand our 'territory' taking back what the enemy has stolen in our lives. Since we have branched out - we can soak in more of the Son, to give to the world. But, we can also conform to our surroundings, and grow straight upwards towards the Son. Like Jesus did eating with sinners and prostitutes and those mean, old tax collectors ;)
Each of us is usable for something in the Kingdom of God. Just as there are wide varieties of use of the Cedar, each of us has a use - a path the Lord has laid before us - our work to do.
Cedar is very heavy - it dense and strong - it can grow in fertile soil or sandy soil. It's versatile. As Christians, we have our strength from our Lord Jesus. When we are ready, He will let us know what we are to do... listen - always be listening for His Voice calling out your name.
I know - last verse same as the first ;) Well, same as yesterday's anyway.
Since we seem to be on the theme of trees and how they mirror attributes of Godly character, I figured it would only be right to talk about 'growing like a cedar of Lebanon'.
First of all, a cedar tree is actually in the evergreen family - it has greenish-blue needles instead of leaves. These are replace every two years or so. It can grow to approximately 80-100 feet tall and 50-100 feet across at the top. I say 'at the top', because a cedar tree left in open space will reach out in a wild array of branches and will be flat-topped. If it's in a densely populated space or the resources aren't sufficient for it to grow that way, it will grow straight up - sort of like a pine tree.
A Lebanon Cedar won't grow it's fruit (cedar cones) until around it's 25 year, when it reaches maturity. They are not prone to disease and require much sun and water to thrive, but over-watering can make the roots begin to rot. That is why it needs to be planted in an area with full sun.
Its oils are said to have properties to repel insects, cure leprosy (Leviticus 14), be made into perfume or cologne, reduce stress, lessen acne. The hardy wood was used to make the interior walls for Solomon's Temple, and many other items for Kings, including thrones.
The cedar does not need to be pruned. It can grow freely. Saying that, the flat-top variety will drop a branch now and then (obviously, it just doesn't need it) which could be hazardous anyone standing underneath, as they can be very heavy.
Green is said to mean life - growth to be ever green is to have life forever, which we, as Christians, do. Blue is grace - so we live a life of grace - favor towards others.
When the Lord thinks us ready - when we reach that age of maturity in the Lord, we begin to bear our fruit. In Christ, we are not prone to disease and sickness, because Jesus paid for all that on the Cross - though there are times when disease and sickness occur due to reasons that we may know or may not ever find out until we 'go Home'.
We need Jesus - the SON to thrive... ever-flowing through and around us through the power of His Spirit. If we receive too much of the Spirit (meaning we receive - but never give out) our roots or our spirits can begin to rot - we may begin to be prideful or see ourselves as superior to others, etc. That is why we need to follow the Lord's leading and be planted where He wants us to be - talking and living among the people He wants - that way we stay in the Son.
We grow not only upward towards the Lord, but at outward towards those in our span of influence to bring them into saving grace. Left in the open - when we are open towards the Lord, we are free to grow and expand our 'territory' taking back what the enemy has stolen in our lives. Since we have branched out - we can soak in more of the Son, to give to the world. But, we can also conform to our surroundings, and grow straight upwards towards the Son. Like Jesus did eating with sinners and prostitutes and those mean, old tax collectors ;)
Each of us is usable for something in the Kingdom of God. Just as there are wide varieties of use of the Cedar, each of us has a use - a path the Lord has laid before us - our work to do.
Cedar is very heavy - it dense and strong - it can grow in fertile soil or sandy soil. It's versatile. As Christians, we have our strength from our Lord Jesus. When we are ready, He will let us know what we are to do... listen - always be listening for His Voice calling out your name.
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