It's Me Again God 2

18. Flourish

It's me again God,

As I walked underneath the ancient palms that line the pathway to the beach, I marvelled at the fact that they are always the same. Whenever I visit this place, they look just the same —stately and tall! They stand confidently flourishing in all seasons, despite the weather and always remind me of the promise You showed me several years ago from Your Word:

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;"
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭92:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank You for this verse which has remained in my heart and spurs me on! Thank You that I am righteous because of Jesus' death and resurrection and so I will flourish like a palm tree every day of the year! The palm trees I saw yesterday are always standing tall with their fronds lifted up to You —just as if they are lifting their hands in worship! So today I declare that I will flourish like a palm tree and lift my hands in praise, for Jesus has taken my sin and made me righteous in Your eyes Father.

I also declare that I will grow in my faith like a cedar of Lebanon! Even though conditions can be rather severe as the cedars are blasted by high winds, as they grow on the mountains in Lebanon, they remain strong and stable because their roots are established in the rock which reminds me of Jesus! Their branches reach out and intertwine with the other cedars growing close to them and so they stand firm, supporting one another, even when gale force winds slam against them! This reminds me of life with my fellow believers —as long as I am rooted in You Jesus and have the support of other believers, I can continue to grow strong! We can stand together and get through all sorts of situations and circumstances, no matter how adverse they may seem at the time.

I really missed worshipping You with my brothers and sisters at church this week. There is something so special about standing together in worship, just as the palms stand together by the sea! Holidays are great but they always make me appreciate how important it is to meet with other believers. I love the encouragement I receive as I engage in worship, hear a message and listen to testimonies about how You are working in people's lives. I see this in the rest of the Psalm:

"planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.""
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭92:13-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love the thought of being 'planted in the house of the Lord' where You tend to my every need as the chief Gardener! No wonder I flourish there! I am well fed and watered so I am fresh and green! I thank You for the promise that I will still bear fruit, even in old age. Thank You that with Your Holy Spirit inside of me, I am able to grow fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, goodness, self-control, kindness and gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23).

I love the way Your Word speaks so powerfully to me! Thank You for the way it connects to nature and is able to draw me to You even when I am out and about on holidays! Keep speaking to me Lord as I head into this day —I am listening and I am ready to flourish!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.