Scripture for Today: Psalm 1:3 “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

One of my favorite activities as a child was to jump in a big pile of raked leaves!  I can still remember doing so with my neighbor friends, exasperating their Dad for destroying his hard work!  Fall is beautiful when seeing all those brightly colored leaves.  But when they turn brown and dry and fall from the branches, the bare limbs make me a bit sad.  The green is gone.  The colors are finished, and one is left with something forlorn and withered.

Today’s verse describes a seasonal cycle unknown in our experience.  There is no Autumn as leaves do not wither, die and fall from the branches.  This unique season enjoys continual growth and greenery.  There is seasonal fruit and a steady supply of water for this tree planted by streams of water.  What a beautiful image of the one who delights in the law of the Lord! (verse 2)

The wicked are pictured as chaff that dries up and blows away (verse 4).  What a contrast!  Rather than being vibrant and living, the chaff is simply the dry husks of grains and grasses.  It is utterly useless and is carried away with the slightest breeze.  But the Lord does not allow His own to be dried up and useless.  There may be differing seasons of fruitfulness, but the leaves never wither.  His life continues within and He never stops working in me!  Because of being planted in Him, I will stay green and vibrant and beautiful.  Because of Him my shade is inviting and my limbs provide protection.

Thank you Lord, that You can and do use me in spite of myself!