Like a tree beside streams of water

         "Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 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 that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers." (Ps.1:1-3)
         I've always loved this Psalm--largely because it paints such a beautiful and memorable word picture of that tree planted by those flowing, life-giving streams of water.  The person who loves God's Word...who reads it, ponders it, delights in it (and in delighting, surely heeds it), will be like that continually watered and nourished tree resting beside the babbling brook and revitalizing river.
         Oh how I want to be like that tree!  Vibrant and green, offering both soothing shade and life-giving oxygen to passing animals and people.  Don't we all want to be a source of Jesus' living water--splashing joy and sustaining strength to those with whom we come into contact?  We do that by soaking in His Word.  By abiding and enjoying His Word.  By getting our perspective renewed everyday...and oh how we need that with all of life's daily big and little assaults and disappointments.

       I'll never forget the sight of some trees at Cane River whose roots were badly exposed--probably by the prolonged drought the region has suffered--

Yet remarkably, these trees were still vibrant, green, leafy, and flourishing.  Why?  Well I suspect because those roots rested right at the water's edge and were still drawing enough nourishment to sustain them in times of great stress.
         Oh Father, that is what we need!  To dig down deep into You and Your Word so that when the storms and stresses and sorrows of life assail, we're dug in strong and secure.  Content even when things don't go our way.  Peaceful even when our loved ones face hardship and difficulty.  Stable even in an ever-unstable, crazy world.
         How?  Because we're fixed in the immovable, omnipotent, almighty, infinite, eternal, unchanging Rock.  And we're planted beside the never-failing, life-giving, hope-infusing, grace-filled, strength-sustaining water of His Word.
          I love Tim Keller's words on this Psalm: "So to know how to meditate on and delight in the Bible is the secret to a relationship with God and to life itself.  Views contrary to God's Word are no anchor in time of need.  God's Word gives us the resilience of a tree with a source of living water that will never dry up."
         I don't know what "time of need" you might be enduring right now, but God's Word can be your anchor.  God's Word will give you that resilience you so desperately need.  God's Word will always be the "source of living water that will never dry up"--no. matter. what.
       It's so simple yet so profoundly powerful--open the Word and drink deeply of Life...and be satisfied, strengthened, and filled to overflowing.  
       To God be the glory.