I’ve recently become fascinated by a lone tree in a Middle Eastern desert called the “Tree of Life.” While not the original from the Garden of Eden, this Prosopis cineraria has lived over four hundred years with almost no rain in Bahrain. This enormous mesquite keeps expanding, stretching its branches to snuff out the sand. We learn several lessons about subsistence, resilience, and connecting with God from this tree:
1. We Need Deep Wells of Water “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” -- Psalm 1:1-3, NKJV David described a similar tree in Psalm 1. The man who delights in the Lord will be a tree that grows fruit in its season and won’t wither. God’s Word nourishes our minds with truth the way water feeds trees. People speculate that the Tree of Life’s 160-feet deep roots may stretch far enough reach the buried water table. When we deal with hardship, we have to dig deep to find our source of strength. Often in trials the Holy Spirit has recalled verses I memorized as a child to comfort my soul. These reservoirs of truth still feed my heart today. Every time I meditate on God’s Word, it creates sustenance for me to consume in drought. When we seek Him, God provides the hope we need. 2. Resistance Builds Resilience “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4, NASB 1995 James highlights that going through trials results in endurance. While the tree in Bahrain in doesn’t have much water, it has wind. Scientists once tried to grow trees in a closed environment without wind. They discovered that while these trees grew quickly, they didn’t form deep root systems. As their heights outpaced their depths, they toppled over and died. The trees needed resistance to strengthen their bark and roots. Likewise, we need a little rustling to remind us to depend on God’s strength. He allows our faith to be tested so that we can build endurance to withstand hardships. Our faith atrophies if we don’t exercise it. We keep growing spiritual muscles by persevering well. Also, God doesn’t want us to pride ourselves on our own abilities, but rely on Him alone to stand tall. 3. A Twig Bears No Leaves Apart from the Trunk “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.’” -- John 15:4-5, NKJV John reminds us to abide in Christ because apart from Him we can do nothing. When we remain in right relationship with God, we draw strength from hidden reserves of power to flourish in dry places. Tapping into the joy of the Lord as the source of our strength (Nehemiah 8:10) fuels our lives in the desert places. When twigs break off branches, they quit growing leaves. We can’t grow spiritual fruit if we separate ourselves from the branch of Christ. Disciplining ourselves to stay in the Word yields an abundant harvest of spiritual fruit. God nourishes the Tree of Life with water and uses wind to build endurance so it can stand long and strong. May we also remain attached to the trunk of Christ and receive His food for our souls, so we may honor Him.
10 Comments
Joanna Eccles
2/6/2025 10:39:01 pm
Yes, God grows our faith through the seasons we experience resistance. He gives us His power to grow.
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2/4/2025 02:15:09 pm
I love these examples from the tree, Joanna. What great lessons we can learn from examples in God's world.
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Joanna Eccles
2/6/2025 10:40:23 pm
God's Word covers so many amazing things it boggles my mind. We can learn so much from how God created nature and see how it connects to His Word.
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Joanna Eccles
2/6/2025 10:40:59 pm
We may not enjoy the resistance, but God brings good fruit from it if we let Him.
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2/6/2025 05:07:18 pm
I love trees, Joanna, and really enjoyed your message today. So encouraging! Thank you.
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Joanna Eccles
2/6/2025 10:41:27 pm
Thankful the message God showed me about tress blessed you too!
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Yvonne Morgan
2/8/2025 03:04:22 pm
I love trees and can relate to your story. I especially love Aspens because they grow in mountain areas. Thank you Joanna for this wonderful encouragement
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Joanna Eccles
2/10/2025 11:14:07 pm
So thankful you can relate and that it blessed and encouraged you.
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AuthorJoanna Eccles has led Bible studies for over twenty years and completed the year-long C. S. Lewis Fellows Program. She is passionate about discipleship and helping people grow in Christ. Joanna enjoys coffee and reading, and currently lives in Florida. Categories
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