Blessed is he that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor treadeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers, but delighteth in the law of the LORD, and pondereth his law day and night. He is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaves do not wither. And what he does is well done. But the wicked are not like that, but like chaff which the wind scatters. Therefore the wicked do not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked perisheth.
Psalm 1
A tree by a stream of water… a great image for fertility and showing the dependence of life on water. The Nile runs as a green ribbon through the Sahara, animals gather at waterholes, oases in the desert indicate nearby groundwater or trees can be green even if the lawn is already brown.
Because: They have roots that reach down to the water. If there is enough water, the tree can thrive, bear fruit, provide shade, produce oxygen and be a habitat for birds, insects or other animals.
The deeper the roots are, the better the tree is supplied and the better it survives storms and tempests. There is a lot of talk about water in the Bible. Literally and also symbolically.
On the one hand, in the Psalms (see above, Psalm 1), a person who keeps God’s words and commandments is compared to a fruitful tree, and on the other hand, Jesus gives “living water”:
Jesus replied: “Whoever drinks this water will soon be thirsty again. But whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never thirst again. This water becomes in him a never-ending spring that gives eternal life.
John 4:13+14
(The whole story can be found in John 4:1-45). That is to say, eternal life emanates from Jesus. And not only that, but our life on earth becomes meaningful and fruitful. When we are “in full bloom” we can be a blessing to others and assist and help them in their lives. Even if we think we don’t have enough strength, we can if we are rooted in Jesus. The deeper, the better his power can flow in and through us.
Good things can flow when we quench our thirst through good, living water. Spoiled water makes a tree sick and us too: if we orientate ourselves on bad things, if we get our nourishment from dubious sources such as zeitgeist, greed, egoism, our soul will inevitably become sick. That is why I want to encourage you today, on this Sunday, to connect with the living water. Say a prayer to God and He will answer you. Read God’s Word, share with other Christians, pray, think about the Bible and your life, let the Holy Spirit guide you. In this way, your roots will grow deeper and deeper…
The good shepherd
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He feedeth me in green pastures, and leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil; thou fillest me with drink.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Thank you for reading and God’s blessing!
Bible passages on the subject of water
The parable of the vine and the eagle (Ezekiel 17:1-16)
During the desert wanderings of the people of Israel (Exodus 15:22-27)
Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6:8-22 and so on)
The man who relies on God (Jeremiah 17:7-13)
