Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: Psalm 92:1-15
“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” (Psalm 92:12-15)
The righteous, God’s holy saints, are marked by the fruit that they produce. Matthew 12:33,35 says, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit…The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”
The righteous are ever-growing and flourishing like palm trees and cedars in Lebanon. Picture a palm tree in the desert. Amid arid and dusty conditions in stands tall — a lone figure in the wilderness. It does not waver, nor does it dry out. Instead, it is a wellspring of life and fertility. It provides shade and shelter for fauna; its blessings flow for others. Picture the evergreen cedars of Lebanon. With a strong stem, their leaves are always luscious, fruitful and plenty. These are the fruits of the righteous!
The righteous have been planted in the house of God, and they flourish in God’s courts. The righteous never sowed itself, nor did it grow by its own might. They are planted in God’s house by God Himself. He prepared the soil, watered, and nurtured them until they grew with strong roots in the Branch who is Christ and blossomed with fruits pleasing to Him. The righteous abide in Christ, and in Him, they find their roots, their joy. Their fruits are a product of the nutrients He provides, so the righteous are ever rooted in God’s Word. They meditate on it day and night. The righteous is God’s. Once planted, they will never be uprooted again.
The fruits they bear are not temporary. Until old age, they continue to bear fruit. They are ever full of sap and green. The wicked sprout like grass. They are transitory, only to be uprooted and withered in a due moment. Their old age is frail and miserable, awaiting the pangs of death to consume them. But the righteous may rejoice! The old saint is a testimony to God’s unchanging faithfulness. He who blessed His children in youth will continue so in their old age. The promises of God do not fail! As they age, they continue to be inwardly renewed. Their leaves are just as luscious and green as before. They flow rich with sap. They live in sweetness, in the joy and strength of the Lord.
Forever will the righteous declare that the Lord is upright. From age to age, He is the same, ever faithful and loving. Day to day, the righteous will cheerfully testify to God’s ceaseless goodness. They will endlessly sing, “he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him”.
Blessed are those who have ears to hear.
Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness that is beyond measure. We come to You in our infidelity. We come to You as adulterers to the gods of this world. Forgive us for do not love You. Have mercy on us and bring us back. Restore our hearts with our first love for You. Nurture us and give us growth that we may experience the endless joys of being Your child, ever praising and glorifying You. We thank You for Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.