And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
(Psalm 1:3-4)
Chaff is that which is thrown away once the fruit is removed. The grain expends all of its effort, all of its life, in order to bring forth fruit. Its interesting to see that the Tree in verse 3 brings forth fruit in its season. A tree produced fruit out of its abundance. An arborist will tell you that if a tree is not producing fruit (Luke 13:8-9), it may begin to do so if you fertilize it and water it. A tree will not produce fruit on its own, but with sufficient water and good soil it will. Grains, on the other hand, must produce seed at all costs. As annuals, they die out if they don't go to seed.
The tree, then, produces out of the abundance in which is it planted and cared for. The grain will strive on its own, but will not live to see the fruit of its labor. If we trust in God, we are like the tree, bearing fruit in due season by resting in Him and producing from His abundance grace. If we strive on our own, we may produce something on our own, but will be worn out in the process, and will perish before seeing the benefit (Ecclesiastes 6:1-2). It is also possible that we dry up and wither away without even producing seed.
An eternal perspective, both in this world and in the next, necessitates that we remain grounded in the Water of Life.
May the Lord bless [and plant] you and keep you [watered and in good soil] and make His face shine upon you [as the sun]. And, if now is a season of pruning and recovery, then rest in that and know that the Lord has prepared for you a future and a hope.
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