A Tree Planted By The Waterside

by L.A. Hickling | Category: General | Nov 1990

In the book of Jeremiah we read:

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out his roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but his leaf shall be green: and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit (17:7,8).

A tree planted by the water stands out in a barren landscape. If rain has not fallen on a stretch of countryside for a long time the dried up withering vegetation gives evidence of that fact, but a stream may still trickle through the parched fields; there is water in it because it draws its water from a distant source. The trees standing alongside it are fresh and green; their leaves are not withered. They are trees planted by the water. The roots of these trees spread through the dry earth to tap the waters of the stream:

waters brought from the high ground beyond. So long as the stream flows these trees remain unaffected by the drought. Their leaves are always green and they never fall to bear fruit.

The passage from the book of the prophet Jeremiah says that some people are like that. They have a hidden source of strength which sustains them in times that are difficult and keeps them from despair when everything around seems to dry up. They are people who trust in the Lord and have their hope in Him. They have a continual supply of spiritual strength and nourishment from the Lord, and it never dries up. The stream feeding the trees in a barren landscape may dry up in a time of prolonged drought, but our supply of daily strength and nourishment from the Lord never fails. He is a never failing source for the river of God is always full of water (Ps. 65:9).

How does the tree remain green? It retains its freshness by spreading Out its roots to draw in the nourishment that is there. We too, by prayer and meditation on God's Word can draw in the nourishment that is so necessary to keep us alive spiritually in a spiritually barren world. This is how the Psalmist expresses it:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Ps. 1:1,2).

The tranquil state of mind of those who trust in the Lord is depicted in Miss F.R. Havergal's lovely hymn:

Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace,

Over all victorious in its bright increase:

Perfect, yet it floweth filler every day:

Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest;

Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand.

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry, touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,