Spiritual Landscape

UV 1563/10000 Spiritual Landscape
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17 v 8

This beautiful uni-verse is a parallel to Psalm 1 verse 3 : “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” The Lord will make our lives evergreen. Our bones will not dry due to hopelessness. Even in the most hopeless situation, we will have hope. Who can guarantee our future like this except the Lord, our God? The Lord will nourish us with waters of many rivers- the Word, the Holy Spirit and the tributaries He causes to flow from our hearts as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control. These tributaries are life-giving and ever flowing. Our minds, souls and spirits are the hidden roots of our lives that spread out under ground in search of moisture or divine inspiration. Our souls should soak in worship and praise of the Lord. Then we will not feel the heat in times of drought or live vain, empty and useless lives. Our lives should be full of joy in the Holy Spirit, full of sap or the hope of eternal life. Sap in this context stands for “ spiritual attitudes and power.” The promises of God are like the oasis in the desert. The mountains are the challenges and problems we face but the source of all rivers are in the mountains and high places. The anointing of God is like a waterfall or cascade, a living fountain inside our souls. The trees are symbols of people who are rooted in faith and bearing fruit of character. The beasts are people who live and die without hope and trust in their Creator. If we live without hope, we will die without hope.

The Lord renews our strength as we absorb His word like a sponge would water, as drought -affected soil absorbs the first rain. We will then never cease from yielding fruit. The more we yield to the Lord, the greater would be our yield – both our blessings and the fruit or blessing we bring to the world. The words “ shall not see when heat cometh” is a huge promise that we will not experience the curses and afflictions of those who do not trust the Lord. We will not be ashamed in an evil time. We shall inherit the blessings on the earth and all spiritual blessings in Jesus of heaven and we shall never loose our inheritance- earthly, spiritual and heavenly. We might face difficulties and problems but the Lord will enable us to overcome. We will finally say that it was good it happened as it gave us a testimony which is evidence on which others can find hope and we ourselves are greatly strengthened for our next test. A life test that ends in more strength, more faith, more joy, more praise and more hope is what is called a testimony. If the Word is one root of eternal life, testimony of people like us is the other root.

The uni-verse clearly hints that there are different seasons in our lives but through all seasons, the Lord will be our stronghold and strength. He will vindicate us and see us through to victory in life. We will bear fruit or results when we are expected to and when we are not expected to and in unexpected ways. The supernatural and the miraculous will be a natural part of our lives. Our lives will not be either an unending test or an unending feast but the common thread or root that will hold us up in good times and bad times is the presence, hope and the love of the Lord.

Prateep V Philip