The Chapter 92 of the book of Psalms opens with thanksgiving to God for His wonderful creations (vs. 1-5) and how more wonderful God created man (v.12). The fools do not understand this (v.6). The wicked will perish eventually (vs.7-9) but the righteous shall be lifted and anointed with fresh oil and grow like palm and cedar of Lebanon (v.12).
Who is a righteous man? Philippians 3:10-13 says that a righteous man is one who trusts in the finished work of Christ at Calvary through faith having repented of his sin and lived out the word of God. He is not a man with self-righteousness (v9a), righteousness of the law (v9b) and righteousness of the Pharisees (Mathew 5:20). Rather, he relies on the righteousness of Christ through faith (v9c).
A man with this kind of righteousness will certainly flourish as palm. How does a palm look like in its spiritual illustration of a righteous man? (i) Longevity. It usually lives long. Then it means, a righteous man will live long without experiencing pre-mature death. (ii) Weather storm. Palm usually bounces back after a terrible storm blows against it. It illustrates the long suffering of a true child of God. Be sure, the storms of life cannot overcome you this year. (iii) Highly adaptive. It can be found in all weather and climates. You can live anywhere successfully. (iv) All-round usefulness and fruitfulness. Like a palm tree, a righteous will prosper in whatever he lays his hands upon. (v) Multiple roots. It means several sources of sustenance.
How can one become a flourishing palm? As a sinner, you need to be born again by simply confessing your sin and receiving the power to go and sin no more. Believe the bible and claim the promises in importunate prayer. You need to also endure the pruning process by listening to the word of God and adjust accordingly.
Today’s Recite: “And he (I) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his (my) fruit in his (my) season.” Psalms 1:3
Today’s Morning Prayers: (i) Thank you Lord for who I am in You. (ii) Lord, I confess all sins that can make me live below this good plan for me (List them). (iii) Lord, I receive grace to endure my pruning process. (iv) Every parasite that wants to stop me from flourishing as a palm be destroyed in Jesus’ name. (v) I (put your name) will flourish like a palm in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!
Today’s Hymn: Count Your Blessings
Today Read me: Genesis 47 - 48