Oaks of Righteousness
Have you ever completed a “leaf collection”? You know, it’s when students go out and collect leaves from lots of different trees, come home and press the leaves between wax paper or paper towel, then try to figure WHAT kind of tree the leaf came from, and finally GLUE all of the leaves into a book? Well, I am on MY thirdcollection…my personal collection from grade school, my 13-year-old’s, and now my 10 year old daughter is completing one for school. I have to admit this is the first time I am actually enjoying the assignment! This time I am taking the time to notice the uniqueness of each tree and the creativity of the Creator.
Not only do trees have leaves with different shapes, colors,and designs, but the shapes of the trees themselves are different. Now I KNOW that trees have different shapes, but I had not really stopped and NOTICED the differences. I hadn’t taken the time to appreciate all of the different qualities of each tree.
I thought about how interesting it is that people use the different shapes, bark, and leaves to classify the trees. We know which “family” each tree belongs to by its unique qualities. It reminded me of Jesus’ words, “You will know them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:20) Christ followers will be known by their actions- their love for others, their words, lifestyle….the fruit they produce from the seed of Christ within them.
And, I also remembered the words of Isaiah. “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3) Oh, how I want to be a display of His splendor! How I want to thrive and flourish and produce good fruit! How I want to “be classified” a follower of Jesus because it is evident by my “leaves” and “shape”. How I want to reflect Jesus in my words and deeds….everything in my life!
How do I achieve this? What do I do?
It is only through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
When I seek Him with all my heart….when I surrender to Him….when I love Him with all I am…..
I become a display of His splendor. He becomes visible in me!
When I soak in His Word……when I fill up on His Word….when I follow His Word….when I meditate on His Word day and night
I am like a well-watered tree!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. 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. (Psalm 1:2-3)
Have you ever seen trees planted by the water? They are bigger, greener, and more beautiful than trees anywhere else. They are LUSH….. They are near the life-giving, refreshing, nutrient-filled water.
When we fill up on God’s Word, WE, too will flourish like these trees. We will yield fruit (notice it says “in due season”!). Our leaves will not wither!
I would love for you to visit me at my personal blog, 
Tracy,
How I, too, long to be a display of His splendor and you are so right. It is ALL about relationship. We cannot grow to look like Jesus if we are not in His presence and learning from Him. This is a beautiful devotional. Thanks for your faithfulness to our Lord.
Leah
You have spoken to my heart today and inspired more study in this scripture, “They will be called oaks of righteousness…” Thank you so much.
Thanks for touching my heart sweet friend.
What a great encouragement today! Love the illustration with the leaf collection … been there, done that (4 times!). -blessings.
I needed this today. my son is in iraq. and emailed me today to pray for him. I need God so much right I want to be so close to him , if he stops I’ll bump right into him.Can i get this close? I love him so much.
Beautiful analogy….