Episode 261: Growing Green in God’s Presence 🌳🫒🕊

Growing Green in God’s Presence The psalmist said in Psalms 52 vs 8- he is like an olive tree planted in God’s house. “And I’m an olive tree, growing green in God’s house. I trusted in the generous mercy of God then and now.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭52:8‬ ‭MSG‬‬ David composed the psalms when Doeg betrayed him to king Saul saying that “David has come to the house of Ahimelech”. Saul at this time had attempted to kill David sixteen times. Doeg is from Edom. He is an Edomite. The Edomites were close relatives to the Hebrews and were also bitter enemies to God’s people. Doeg was also a high-ranked official working with Saul. David understood the power, beauty and benefits of staying God’s presence as he had experienced God’s mighty hand of deliverance and victory several times. He likened himself to an olive tree. Olive tree thrives, survives, flourishes, stays green despite all harsh weather. It is wind-resistant and drought hardy. Research shows that when the shoots are “destroyed by fire or disease…, new shoots appeared in the spring and the dead wood was removed, they soon became new fruit-producing trees.” Olive trees are prolific. Olive tree “starts bearing fruit at around 5 years of age. A tree in Croatia that is radiocarbon-dated to be 1,600 or years old still produces abundant fruit today.” Also from research, “from over history, the olive has been the symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power and purity” and are “incredibly healthy fruit containing antioxidants, healthy fats and fiber.” What an interesting tree David compared himself with, as long as he knows, trusts and stays in his habitat - God’s presence. Where do we come in here- there are so many wind and drought of battles fighting for our well-being- fighting for peace, wisdom, fruitfulness, purity. There is need to always remind ourselves as God’s children- of our Habitat- in God we live, move and have our being. Keep hold of this truth, trust and stay in Father’s presence and you can not but grow green, stay flourishing where ever He positions you, because you are in His presence. Hid in God’s presence. Let us pray Father we thank You for Your Word of life. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that will continue to help us to keep hold of this truth, to trust and stay in Your presence so we can grow green, stay flourishing where ever You position us. In Jesus’ name. Amen