Psalm 92: 12,13
The righteous flourish like the palm tree,
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
When we read about Solomon building the great temple in Jerusalem and the many gifted artists decorating it, we often read about the palm tree being engraved on items and walls. When we think about islands in the ocean we often picture palm trees lining the beaches. When we think of Hollywood and Los Angeles, we might picture the palm trees that were supposedly imported with the Spanish and line the ocean front. When we think of hurricanes blowing trees in their wake, we can picture the news broadcaster, yellow poncho flapping in the wind and with palm trees swaying in the background. What do you think of when you picture palm trees?
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the week of his passion, people lay palm fronds on the ground before him and waved their affirmation. They anticipated their eternal king would bring relief from Roman oppression. The week ended at Calvary, the cross, and a victory over eternal death that they did not anticipate.
David compared the palm tree to the righteous. The tree grows strong and tall towards the sun, the source of energy. King Solomon pictured a loving encounter to climbing a palm tree to enjoy its fruit. I don’t know what memories you carry in relation to palm trees. Our family vacationed on the Kenyan coast lined with palm trees with vendors selling coconuts. Psalm 92 uses the word “flourish” to describe the life of a righteous person in the house of the Lord.
Let us rest in the word “flourish” this morning. What words come to mind as you think of your relationship in the house of the Lord? Perhaps you need water or sunlight or manure or even love. In the presence of the Lord is the best place to flourish. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 