Oak Tree & Favor

I love to walk under the shade of a giant oak tree. They are often majestic and have deep roots, big trunk, big limbs, big branches and big leaves. Oak wood is hard and has great beauty. I love beautiful hardwood oak floors. The grain is beautiful and deep.

The Lord uses the picture of a tree growing to show His majesty and His splendor. He also uses the picture of a strong tree to display a person whose faith is firmly fixed on Him. Check this out…

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

    because the Lord has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,

    to proclaim freedom for the captives

    and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

    and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion –

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

    instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

    instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

    instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

    a planting of the Lord

    for the display of his splendor.

11 For as the soil makes the young plant come up

    and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness

    and praise spring up before all nations. (Isaiah 61:1-3,11 NIV)

 

I heard a great saying about a year or so ago that really resonated with me. The saying is this: “The best time to plant and oak tree is 20 years ago and the next best time is today.” The implication is obviously on planning. I want to focus on the planting. I want to be an “oak tree planter” because of what the Lord can do with it. He can take my meager efforts of planting and turn it in to a harvest of good works for His sake. I want His favor on my planting. I want His favor on the work of my hands. I want His favor on all that I do and say. I want His favor on the biggest and the smallest of my plans. If I have the Lord’s favor, I have all I need. I am thankful for His favor on my heart and my life at this point in the journey. I want to live out the rest of my days with His favor and walking in His ways.

 

Pressing On!

Dwayne