Journal Entry // February 23, 2021
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
Psalm 52:8 ESV
There were several phrases and ideas in my reading this morning that struck me and would have made for helpful journal entries. Phrases that helped me understand what God delights in, what a broken heart and spirit mean, and how quickly we can turn from praise to wickedness. In the end, I chose this passage because it compares nicely with Psalm 1 and is a great word picture of living a life that fully trusts and rests on God alone.
This tree is green… This is not describing the color of the fruit, but the healthiness of the tree. This olive tree is green and healthy. It is actively growing and developing into maturity. It’s greenness is a sign that it’s roots are deep and firmly planted. It is receiving adequate water and nourishment. It is being well tended and cared for.
Of course, we would expect this reading that the tree is in the house of God! This tree is growing and developing in the center of the presence of the Lord. And just like the tree in Psalm 1, it is receiving water and nourishment directly from the Spirit of the Lord. It is being fed and nourished by living water.
But this tree also implies that there is a gardener who cares for the tree. For this tree is green and healthy, beautiful in the sight of everyone who sees it. This gardener not only nourishes it, but tends to it. The gardener ensures that is pruned and trimmed as necessary for continued healthiness. This pruning cuts away any disease or possible spoiling from insect and fungal attack. The gardener uses all good skill to keep the tree healthy.
And being in the house of God ensures that the gardener is always close by. The tree is never left exposed and alone. No, it is in the center of God’s house and the object of his attention. And with all this care and attention, I can rest assured that the steadfast love of God will continue. That he cares for and loves me completely. He will never leave nor forsake me. His love and mercy is new every morning.