The Righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Psalms 92:12
Forced to Endure
As a child, there is one statement that was repeated to me over and over again, “If you lie, you will steal, if you steal, you will kill.” I must confess that as a child, I did not understand the essence of this statement until later on in my life. Those who would communicate this stern warning to me did so in hope that somehow I would seek after what was righteous and not those things that were wicked.
Psalm 92 is one of many Psalms of high praise unto our Creator once one of His own living souls have been taught through life’s trials, temptations, and testings to relearn how to give thanks to God regardless of what evil and wicked events that surround each of us in the morning and the night. [vss.1-5]
In my life, some of the most painful events that I was forced to endure came at the hands of those who willfully told lies on me, bearing false witness with the intent toward destroying my character and personal integrity. Likewise, I have had people boldly, stolen money and personal belongings in an effort toward hurting me, as well as their malicious betrayal of trust in relationships that over time, changed or were terminated. Sadly to say, I have been threatened via gunpoint more than once by individuals that over time, proven to be confused and deeply troubled in their soul-life.
Whether these individuals were stupid, fools, or just wicked, our Psalm states that those who are not righteous, sprout like grass, and all who do evil prosper, it is so that they can be eternally destroyed, while our Lord, is exalted forever. Enemies of God will perish, evildoers will be scattered thus they all will be destroyed internally and externally. [vss.6-11]
None are Righteous
As I reflect on my spiritual transformation since childhood, I understand totally that no human being is righteous and without the inclination toward wickedness and evil. I too have lied, I have stolen, and I have been verbally abusive toward another human-being [which technically is a form of murder to the soul of an indivdual]. For me, each time that I was found to be responsible for wrongful acts, it was not the act that was unbearable, it was the internalized guilt that was associated with the wrong act.
Guilt
Guilt is never a rational thing;
it distorts all the faculties of the human mind,
it perverts them,
it leaves a man no longer in the free use of his reason,
it puts him into confusion.
-Edmund Burke-
My ability to now seek after those things righteous was made possible when I experienced a life-changing personal encounter with Messiah when I was seventeen. Now as an adult, I must encounter Him each moment of my life, in an effort at reaching spiritual maturity.
Many may not encounter Messiah close and personal like me, yet there are hidden images of this same Lord and Redeemer of the hearts and souls of every living soul on earth today-The Holy Scriptures. What are some of the most wonderful, spiritually life-changing lessons that we can learn, by studying the Palm tree in Psalm 92:12?
Flourish like the Palm Tree
[Examples of overcoming life’s hardships and disadvantages]
- The Palm grow not in the depths of the forest or in the fertile topsoil, but in the desert. Its fresh green color often springs apparently from the scorching dust.
- The Palm tree height serves as a hopeful lighthouse which guides the thirsty and weary traveler to the spot where water and shade may be found.
In ancient times, the Palm tree is remarkable for its beauty:
[Examples that true beauty is not external only, it is the inner spiritual praise and exultation of the Most High]
- Its elongated growth
- The leafy canopy and waving plumes depicts the emblem of praise in all ages.
- The Palm tree foliage is a symbol of joy and exultation. It never fades, while the dust never settles upon it.
Some spiritual and Biblical implications:
[Images of the advent of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth]
- The leafy canopy was twisted into the booths of the Feasts of Tabernacles [Sukkot, one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, along with Pesach (Passover), and Shavuot (Pentecost)]. Sukkot is celebrated for seven days which celebrates all that the Creator has done for His People. It is a time of renewed fellowship with the Creator who is responsible for all of our sheltering provision and care as well as travel in the desert [earth], while we behold the wonders of His Glory from above.
- Prophetically, the seven days depicts the world to come and the 1,000 Millennial Kingdom. In the tradition of Messianic Judaism, many contend that Yeshua (Jesus) was born during Sukkot, (i.e. conceived during Chanukah) thus the Word became flesh and tabernacled with us. [John 1:14] The content of The Festival of Sukkot was gleaned from the website: hebrew4christians.com.
- The leafy canopy [palm branches] was borne aloft by the multitudes who accompanied the Messiah to Jerusalem in Matt. 21:1-11.
- The palm branches represent a great multitude [that no one could count] in heaven, holding palm branches in their hands. [Revelation 7:9]
Some very practical, useful ways that the Palm is used:
[Images of the spirit of hospitality and agape]
- Shade for the traveler.
- Fruit that restores strength and serves as water for thirst.
- Its stones are ground for camels.
- Its leaves are made into couches, its bought into fences and walls.
- It’s fibers into rope or rigging.
- It’s the best fruit is borne in old age: the finest dates being often gathered when the tree has reached a hundred years. [The listing of aspects of The Palm Tree was gleaned from the writings of Joseph Angus].
In closing, it is my hope that regardless of what your current situation in life, somehow you were able to obtain some helpful spiritual insights from this study of the Palm tree in Psalm 92. If our Creator has ordained the palm tree to have multiple present and eternal uses, how much more is this true with each of us!
I pray that each of you will continue to seek after the Lord our God and all of His Righteousness so that we too may be emblems of Righteousness in this present age.
Grace and Peace