Proverbs 11:28 (NIV) Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28 (MSG) A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. *********************************************** The righteous will thrive like a green leaf. To thrive is to flourish or make steady progress; to grow vigorously. Thriving involves living, not dying. Those who trust in the things of life will be dying; those who trust in God and live for Him will thrive. There are multiple times throughout Scripture where the righteous are likened unto a plant. This is because we are to be growing in Christ, not just surviving. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” -Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV) He that trusteth in his riches shall fall,....but the righteous shall flourish as a branch; that abides in the tree, is alive and green, full of leaves, and laden with fruit: so the righteous are as branches in Christ, and receive life and nourishment from him, and abide in him; and bring forth fruit and flourish, like palm trees and cedars, in the house of the Lord, and grow in every grace, and in the knowledge of Christ. (Gills Exposition) “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. -John 15:4-8 (MSG) A healthy branch is attached to the main plant receiving nourishment and bearing fruit. Separated from the main plant the branch no longer receives nourishment and it dies. Jesus Christ is the main plant, we are the branches, without Him we cannot survive. The righteous grow in grace and spiritual beauty, and bring forth the fruit of good works. (Pulpit Commentary) Seek to be a healthy, growing plant which is only possible by having a continuing relationship with Jesus Christ. But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in Gods unfailing love for ever and ever. -Psalm 52:8 (NIV) 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. -Psalm 92:12-13 (NIV) Have you been growing lately? Are you thriving? My Prayer: Lord, help me to grow and thrive in you. Remind me that is not possible unless I am in communion with you. I know I cannot spiritually live without you; You are the vine, I am just a branch. Help me to be the best branch I can be; bearing much fruit for you. Remind me that the branch is to bring glory to the vine at all times. For I realize that the branch is nothing without the vine. (Its not the branch, but the tree that is important.)
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 13:11:23 +0000
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