Last week, Sissy and I were walking an unknown trail. As we walked, we noticed huge trees on both sides of the trail. There was one particular tree that stood out. From decades of rain it washed the dirt away and half of this trees roots were open and exposed. It was very beautiful to see. We usually don’t get to see the roots of trees because they are hidden underground. This tree was massive and so were its roots. I felt God in that moment. I knew there was something about this tree that God was going to speak to us about and I had to stop and take a picture.

The obvious was the root system, but I felt this pause in my spirit to continue to allow God to speak. I knew there was something spiritual He was trying to convey, but sometimes we have to take a moment to truly hear from God and wait for His voice. 

Later that day, I looked at the picture again and this time, God clearly spoke a verse in Psalm 1:3 to me, which says, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither: and whatever he does shall prosper.” 

How great would it be to yield good fruit and prosper in everything we do? We look at that verse and see the blessings of God being promised, but if we back up a couple verses and read it in its entirety, WE have to do something. WE have to walk in the counsel of the Godly and make wise choices. 

PSALMS 1:1-3 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

Let’s take a look at each verse:

Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit n company of mockers…..”

This Psalm basically contrasts the two paths of life we can choose – the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked; the faithful verses the faithless. The first verse talks about the man who is blessed because he chooses NOT to walk in the way of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners. 

We are easily influenced by those around us, especially those who society may deem as “cool” or we have the social media “influencers” these days, which add even more pressure for our generation to flock with just to stay popular. God has called us to be different, to be influencers of HIS Word and walk with others who have also made that choice to follow Him. To disciple and bring others to Christ, we have to set the example and look different than the world and raise a standard against sin and ungodliness. 

The people we allow to influence us will determine if we become like that tree in Psalms 1 

Yes, we are called to minister and witness to unbelievers, but that doesn’t mean we take part in their lifestyle or allow ourselves to be associated with sinful living. People should be able to see Christ in is, in our actions, decisions and behaviors and a lot of that revolves around WHO we hang around with, whom we call friends and allow in our inner circle. Are those closest to you sharpening you in the things of God, edifying and encouraging Godly decisions in your life? Ask yourself these questions…

Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Psalm 1:2 “…but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night…”

Once we have Godly friends and people to uplift and encourage our walk with God, WE have to know His Word! When we are at work or out in the world and all hell breaks loose, do you have the Word hidden in your heart? Can you pull scripture out and declare the Word of God over that situation if you don’t have it stored in you?

Psalm 119:11 says I have hidden your Word in my heart…

Joshua 1:8 – “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

I know that when I am not in my Word in the mornings or don’t have my prayer time with the Lord, my day goes much differently. I am not as armored and equipped for what may come, and if you wake up in the morning, know that something will come your way! That’s life!! How you deal with it when you have had your time with God and been strengthened is going to be much different than if you go at it on your own.

We will go further to say that you also need those who will speak truth and life over you and your situations. We need those that will push us to God not away!

Psalm 1:3 “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

Wow – now here’s the part we like – haha! We’ve got our Godly influencers in our inner circle! We are meditating on His Word day and night! If we are doing those things, the fruit should be evident. As we grow closer to God through His Word, we should be bearing productive fruit that touches those around us, affects others lives, as well. The more we are in His Word and in His presence, the more fruitful we should become.

John 15:5-8 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

The more we meditate on scripture and remain close to Jesus (the vine), our fruit grows prosperously because He is prosperity. Conversely, when we are NOT in our Word or in His presence, there is no nourishment feeding our branches, thus leaving us dry and brittle, useless and unproductive, bearing NO fruit.

What is good fruit? God tells us in Galatians 5:22 that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The concordance translates this verse stating that, “whatever he does shall prosper,” does not mean immunity from failure or difficulties, but rather when we apply God’s Wisdom, the fruit we bear will be prosperous. As a tree soaks up water and bears luscious fruit, we are to soak up God’s Word and display fruits of love, joy, peace etc., revealing in our very actions and attitudes that we have God inside of us. We hope and pray that God spoke to you!