Notes on Hope Devotional

Flourishing

 Psalm 92:12-14 (NIV)
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.

Out my front window, across the street, I can see two 10-foot-tall palm trees towering above houses and other trees. They look regal as they reach toward the sky, flourishing as the wind blows the branches. These verses give a vivid image of how we can “flourish like a palm tree, and then flourish in the courts of our God.”

Location for any plant or tree is important in determining whether it will thrive and grow. Our placement and position will affect our spiritual growth, as well. These verses refer to the “house of the Lord” and “courts of our God” as locations. More than suggesting a house of worship, where can we flourish in our relationship with God?

Is it in a special place where you meet with God in the morning to be in the Word?
Is your car a place where you worship and praise Him?
Do you take a walk and make it a time for prayer?
Do you give yourself a space for silence to listen to the Lord?

In the context of these verses, in our flourishing, there will be fruit. I love that it says, “still bear fruit in old age.” No matter our age, even those of us over 50, God still wants to use us, grow us, bear fruit in us, so we can pass it on to the next generation. And the promise is, “they will stay fresh and green.” We don’t have to wilt and dry up as we get older. We can flourish and bear fruit.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for these verses that give us hope. Help us age well and flourish so we can bear fruit. Thank You for sustaining us and strengthening us.
In Jesus Name, Amen.