A Tree o Life

Thought For Today - February 21
A Tree of Life 
By Robert A. Searles

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30.

We see a tree growing in the midst of other trees, and we can usually determine what kind of a tree it is by examining the fruit which it bears. How refreshing, and restoring it would be if we were travelers in the wilderness, and suddenly came upon a tree with fruit which we could eat.

The verse says: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life." Are we like a tree planted in the vineyard of our God? Are we one of those that be planted in the house of the Lord, and are we flourishing in the courts of our God? Are we a tree called "righteous"?

 Psalm 92: 12-14 says: "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tee: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing."

 Righteous trees that are flourishing in the courts of God shall still bring forth fruit in old age. Is the fruit that we are bearing, life giving, and life sustaining to travelers who pass our way? The scripture says that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. Will someone live and be sustained, and grow because they have eaten of our fruit today? Are we truly a tree of life? Are we truly soul winners? He that winneth souls is wise.

Let us examine ourselves and see if we are indeed righteous, not that we are righteous in our selves, but ,that we have been made righteous by the finished work of Christ. And, let us examine ourselves and see if we are indeed planted and flourishing in the courts of our God. We cannot abide long as a branch unless our roots are firmly attached to the true vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. What kind of fruit are we bearing? Is it eatable to a hungry soul that may come our way today? Jesus said that a branch that bears no fruit is good for nothing and is cut off and thrown away, but even the branch that does bear fruit, the husbandman purgeth and pruneth it so that it might bear more fruit.

May it be said of us that we are righteous trees, growing in the courts of God, and that our fruit is a tree of life, and pray that we will still bring forth fruit in old age. - -