Are You Like a Flourishing Olive Tree?

O. T. #1247  "Are You Like a Flourishing Olive Tree?
July 24, 2018
Psalm 52
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love. I will praise You forever, O God, for what You have done. I will trust in Your good name in the presence of Your faithful people.  (Psalm 52:8-9)

LET IT GLOW

Folks, let us pray for the families of the 17 who died in the duck boat accident at Branson and the 14 who survived. Especially the lady and her nephew who were the only ones in their family to live, with 9 family members dying. What a tragedy.

Who likes to eat olives, green or black? Did you know the oldest living olive tree in on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean? It is estimated to be close to 3,000 years old. Wow! In our chapter, David compares himself to an olive tree. Although the tree is not tall, it produces much fruit.

Today, we go back in time to 1 Samuel 21-22 when David was running from King Saul. David visited the Priest Ahimelech, who gave them the showbread to eat and Goliath's sword. Doeg the Edomite was present. Then he told Saul that David and his men (400) were going to fight to take over Saul's kingdom, which was a lie. As a result of all of this, Saul had 85 priests and Ahimelech killed.

David wrote this psalm to show we are safe in God's care, no matter the threats. We may get rattled, but God doesn't. Doeg was about to be plucked up and rooted out of the land of the living.

David describes himself as a green flourishing tree in a healthy state, which has leaves all the time and can live for a very long time. David was planted, rooted, fixed, and flourishing. God did it.
Not only is an olive tree one of the longest-living tree, but a flourishing tree too.
God gives eternal protection of His faithful servants.

Are we like a flourishing olive tree? Is our nourishment from the Word of God? Are we prepared for eternal life?

LET IT GROW

Doeg was Saul's chief herdsman, looking after the king's cattle. He schemed to kill David, being one of David's main adversaries.

David described Doeg as a:

• boastful and treacherous man (verse 1),
• a liar and slanderer (verse 2),
• a deceiver for personal gain, a lover of evil more than good, and a lover of lies more than truth (verse 4),
• a lover of seeing others hurt.

The contrast between Doeg and David is vivid: the former is like a dead tree dug out and the latter is like a green olive tree. Doeg trusted in riches-David trusted in the mercy of God. David would be blessed for ever-Doeg would be cursed for ever. David will praise God for His help-Doeg will live in remorse. David waited upon God's Name-Doeg did not know it.

The wicked shall be torn up by the roots, but those who wait upon the Lord will be planted and flourish forever.

Do we allow difficulties and opposition from others shake our confidence in God? Actually, the things we suffer are a sign of His favor and we can be sure He is at work in them to increase our capacity for joy and hope. (Lydia Brownback)

Romans 5:3-5 tells us that affliction produces endurance, which gives us hope because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us.

LET IT GO

Be an olive tree, flourishing with the Heavenly Father.
Trust His unfailing love.
Praise God for what He has done in my life.