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PSALM 1:3 “AND HE SHALL BE LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY RIVERS OF WATER, THAT BRINGETH FORTH HIS FRUIT IN HIS SEASON; HIS LEAF SHALL NOT WITHER; AND WHATSOEVER HE DOETH SHALL PROSPER.” (KJV, NKJV, ASV)
“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers.” (NASB, RSV)
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (NIV)
“They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all the do shall prosper.” (TLB)
OK! Now, we’re talking! I like Bible verses that say things like, whatever I do will prosper. In our culture we eat stuff like that up with a spoon.
I don’t want to be too judgmental of those who preach what has come to be known as “Prosperity Doctrine.” There is no shortage of those in (and out) of the church who are more than ready to “pile on” those who preach this: “If you will send this amount of money to my ministry, you will be planting a seed of faith that God will absolutely honor by pouring out wealth and blessings more than you can contain!”
It is true that the Lord does want to prosper us. Look at this verse: “Whatever I do will prosper.” However, don’t take verse 3 without first looking at Psalm 1, verses 1 and 2 first.
In the same light, we already talked about 2 Chronicles 7:14. We all want the Lord to “hear from heaven and heal our land.” But how quickly we forget what comes before that…humble myself, seek God’s face and turn from my wicked ways.
Psalm 1:1-3 seems to be telling me that if I do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand where sinners stand and do not sit scornfully…if I delight in the Lord and seek to live a life more pleasing to Him…then, I will be like a tree and see my life prosper.
We might also want to examine just how this verse tells me I will prosper. I will be like a tree planted by rivers of water. That seems to be telling me that I will LIVE!
Without water, all vegetation eventually dies. The tree that will live, flourish and deliver what it was designed to deliver will be one that finds all the water it needs. We know that Jesus is the river of life. In Him, I can find all the sustenance that I need.
I love seeing and being near trees that stand beside quiet streams. One of my favorite memories growing up was a trip our family made to Durango, Mexico to visit the Warrens, a missionary family we supported. One trip we took while there was a drive up into the mountains to enjoy a picnic in a beautiful, scenic park setting. I loved observing the many trees that sat by the gentle, quiet stream, flowing down the mountain from water springs above. It was the epitome of serenity…I imagined heaven being just like this beautiful scene.
The Father promised in this Psalm that we would be like one of those trees, planted by such rivers of water. We will enjoy times of peace, security and comfort, knowing that the Living Water provides the life that we desperately need.
The Father also promises that, like those tree, we also shall produce fruit. Have you thanked the Lord lately for the children He blessed you with? I know some may have difficulty having children or may never experience that joy. Have faith! The Lord will provide fruit in your life in His way and in His season. Plus, He blesses us with far more fruit than our children.
Look at how blessed He has made us, especially in the United States. Sometimes, we are so focused on all the things we do not have that we fail to thank Him for all the blessings and fruit that is so evident right in front of us. Please remember that all we have as His children are those things He has given to us. Start “counting your blessings” and you will be surprised at how much He has already caused you to bear fruit.
Count the fruits of the Spirit He is currently growing in you…love, joy, peace… Take a look at those whose lives you have influenced who have come to know Him. Look at how much wealth and prosperity you already have received from the Lord. Don’t think He has not produced fruit in you because you still don’t have everything you want.
Your leaf will not wither! That doesn’t mean our bodies will never die…of course, they will do that one day. It also does not mean that we will never suffer pain and illness. We are still in the world and it is still fallen due to sin. What it does mean is that even in the midst of life’s struggles and trials, we can continue to see abundant life because we are safe in Him.
Our bodies will grow old and begin to fail. But look at the leaves of your life! You are still watched after and guarded by the Creator of the universe. Again, count the blessings He has already shown you. Our wonderful memories, those who have so richly touched our lives, the usefulness we still have to our Lord are rich, alive leaves that He continues to nourish and supply until our last day. Then, look at the heaven that awaits us as our “blessed hope.” We have the promise of eternal life with Jesus! That should make our leaves glow with an unexplainable luster that goes beyond worldly explanation. The old body may show signs of starting to fade away…but look at how those leaves of mine still do not wither!
Oh, one more blessing…whatever I do shall prosper. I have to testify that the Lord definitely has demonstrated HIS prosperity in my life a lot! Of course, the measurement of what we consider prosperity has to be examined closely by what we think prosperity is.
Lots of people have lots more money than I do. But financial wealth is subjective and relative. The Bible tells us “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) We can be what seems like the poorest person we know. But, if we look closely and honestly at all He has given us, we have to admit, He has prospered us with a lot.
How much does He have to bless us with for us to feel contentment? Add to that, a growing sense of the godliness He is leading us more and more into and I’d say we have great gain.
Not every effort of my life has been met with what I considered to be success. I did find it interesting that, even in my failures, I could see how the Lord used those to help me grow and ultimately, bring about prosperity in many ways that I hadn’t even imagined.
The little widow whom Jesus and the disciples saw giving two pennies…all she had…might have quickly questioned, “where’s the prosperity for me?” There is no evidence that anyone ever asked her if she felt prosperous. Yet, her testimony of love, sacrifice and faithfulness is still being told two thousand years later. Imagine the reward she received in heaven and will be enjoying forever.
It may not look to you like the Lord is prospering you very much. I honestly think that might be why so many well-meaning Christians fall into the trap of believing that if they just give to this worthy ministry, the Lord just might make them rich. He does make some of us rich. But the prosperity that He promises is so far beyond the riches of this world, that it would be a tragedy for us to be so easily satisfied with just those earthly riches.
Look close at your life, Christian. I think that with the spiritual view the Lord brings to us when we trust Him for our salvation…when we really are filled with His spirit…would help us to see how truly prosperous He has made us. Whatever we do for Him WILL PROSPER!
Sing that song again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZIGHwdYUEw Sing it over and over. Whether it looks like it with our worldly, fleshly view of this life, we are like a tree, planted by living water, bringing forth fruit and prospering…the promise of the Word is true. Look again, with the spiritual eyes the Lord gives to us. You are probably a lot more prosperous than you think you are. Bless the Lord!
Questions to consider: Why are we so quick to think everyone else is more blessed and prosperous than we are? There is nothing wrong with supporting good, God-inspired ministries, especially with our finances. But what is wrong with thinking that because we offer that support that God owes us prosperity in return? Do you have a testimony where that has happened for you? Are there testimonies where it has not? Is God faithful to His word to do the things He promises to do? How do you define prosperity? What are some of the blessings of prosperity He has provided you in your life that might not seem like prosperity to the world?
Other Scriptures to study: Romans 6:23 “…but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Mark 12:42 and Luke 21:2 “but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” 3 John 1:2 “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Prov 16:20 “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers.” Prov 19:8 “He who cherishes understanding prospers.”
 
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