Planted in the House
Jan 18, 2017
9 mins | Christian Living
One day, my grandmother was shopping for another flowering plant to add to her incredible collection. After finding the perfect option, she made her way to the checkout counter and noticed there was something else sprouting up from the pot. Not only was she purchasing a new plant, but she was also getting a tree. A tiny little tree.
My grandmother immediately planted the seemingly forgotten twig of a tree in her backyard. After 17 years of tender loving care, that same twig has turned into a towering 40-foot tree.
The health and growth of that tree was no accident. The tree survived and grew because it was planted. My grandmother saw the potential of that small little tree and decided to plant it by faith. What most people may have viewed as a waste of time, she considered a worthwhile investment. If ignored, that tree would have never reached its full potential or lived out its purpose. Ultimately, that tree would have died.
It is essential that as believers, we are planted in a place that will feed and nurture our soul.
Similar to the tree needing fertile soil to survive and grow, it is essential that as believers, we are planted in a place that will feed and nurture our soul. The question then is, where do we find fertile soil?
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 92:12-13,
“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” (ESV).
The psalmist compares those who are planted in the house of God to a strong and vibrant tree.
The reality is that we are only as strong as where we are planted.
We need to be planted where we will be fed
When we are planted in the house of God, it’s like a tree being planted in the best possible place and the most fertile soil.
Psalm 1:2-3 says,
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank…” (ESV)
Water is essential to the vitality of a tree. Trees must have water to create carbohydrates which become the energy source for the tree. If plants and trees lack enough water, they become weak and struggle to survive.
On the other hand, if a plant is positioned near a stream, it will have a continuous supply of water and therefore become stronger and more vibrant.
The same is true when we are planted in the house of God. Because God’s house provides a place where we are constantly being filled, and where our faith is consistently being watered by the Word of God and His presence.
We are only as strong as where we are planted.
The Word of God is our source of strength as a believer. It is our spiritual food that strengthens us as we hear and feed on it.
Jesus describes the importance of the Word of God for the believer in Matthew 4:4:
“People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (ESV).
Like water to a tree, the Word of God provides life to every believer. It is not an option – it is a necessity.
We need to be planted where we can discover our purpose for living
Psalm 1:3 says,
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season” (ESV).
There are various types of fruit bearing trees: apples, peaches, cherry, coconut and mango’s to name a few. Each tree bears its own unique type of fruit. Why do these type of trees exist? They exist for the purpose of producing fruit. The same is true for you and me.
Like trees, you and I have a specific purpose, and God has equipped us with special gifts and talents to fulfill the calling He has on each of our lives. The way we discover our purpose and develop our gifts is by being with the Lord and around his people. In fact, bearing good fruit is impossible any other way.
I was recently having coffee with a girl from church, and she was sharing how her life has changed since she, and her husband, decided to plant themselves within the church. Two years ago they started attending the church and immediately jumped in and got involved. Since then, they have both discovered gifts and passions that they didn’t know they had. They serve on the production team and love it!
We need to be planted where we can stand strong against the storms of life
Most trees loose their leaves in winter. Bitter cold weather is not conducive to growth. However, that is not how it is for those who are planted in God’s house.
Psalms 1:3b teaches us:
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither” (ESV).
Meaning there is never a time where we will be overtaken by the storms and trials of life if we are anchored in God. Although we may face different seasons and withstand different trails if we are planted in God’s house, those trials and tests will only make us stronger.
Romans 8:37 says, “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (ESV).
When we are planted in the house of God, we are choosing to position ourselves in a safe, protected place that is strong and stable in times of the stormy trials that can come our way.
When we are planted in the house of God, we are choosing to position ourselves in a safe, protected place that is strong and stable in times of the stormy trials that can come our way.
We need to be planted where we can be prosperous
Psalm 1:3c says,
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (ESV).
Wow! What a statement, “they prosper in all they do.” God desires that our lives would overflow with His blessings so that whatever we do, we would be prosperous. And that is exactly what happens for those who plant themselves in His house, and who make His Church a priority. His desire is that we would experience the blessing of the Lord on our lives in such a way that we would not be able to contain it.
He wants to bless your home
He wants to bless your friendships
He wants to bless your finances
He wants to bless your job
There is not one area of your life that God does not desire to bless.
Psalm 31:19 says,
“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you” (ESV).
It’s God’s desire that you and I would be planted in His house so that we would become like my grandparent’s 40-foot tree. A flourishing, vibrant tree that never stops growing.
