HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
“Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” Isaiah 55:13
Let me learn the parable of the trees.
Some of them are unprofitable and worthless. Their fruit is evil, sour and acid — perhaps poisonous and noxious. They cumber the ground. They are fit only to be hewn down, and to be cast into the fire.
And such was I once! God’s springs came — but they did not clothe me in a mantle of green. God’s summers came — but their dew and sun simply increased my gracelessness. But “Instead of the thorn bush — the cypress tree will come up. And instead of the nettle — the myrtle tree will come up!”
In the blessed husbandry of hearts, the bad-natured trees may be changed by divine power and mercy — into good trees, the planting of the Lord. Is it so with me? Has the nettle blossomed into a rose fit for the bosom of the King of kings?
Then let me make it evident by bringing forth fruit to the glory of Him who has done great things for me. I should be a vine hanging with the purple grapes of love. I should be a fig tree whose large and glossy leaves impart coolness and refreshment. I should be an olive tree clad with the grey-green verdure of wisdom. My Lord looks for these things.
It is my encouragement that He who planted me — waters and keeps me also. The Father is the Gardener (John 15:1). He will give the increase. He will ripen the vintage, and mature the harvest. Just let me pray to Him, and trust always in Him, and cast myself upon Him with an implicit faith. Then I shall be neither barren nor unfruitful.
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green!” Psalm 92:12-14
