Psalm 1: The Fruitful Tree

⁴ The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
⁶ For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

Here we read of the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, the believing and the unbelieving, the sinner and the sinner saved by grace.  We are instructed not to walk (live by), stand (honor) or sit (study) in the counsel of the wicked, sinners or scoffers.  That is to say that our lives should not be guided by worldly philosophy (Colossians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 1:18 – 2:16), but rather we are to be immersed in the Word of God so it is at the forefront of our minds in all aspects of life, at all times (Colossians 3:16).  God’s word in our hearts will keep us in fellowship with God (Psalm 119:11) and guide us to abide in Christ (John 15:5).  Notice that being a tree firmly planted by Streams of Water is contrasted with unbelievers who are easily blown away by the winds of life because they have no firm root (v.4).

The Streams of Water is the Spirit of God who sustains us and yields fruit in its season and the leaves of the tree do not wither (v.3).  Two things of note is that fruit is produced in season, but out of season we can stand firm by the power of the Spirit (2Timothy 1:7), being faithful and God will bring us through to the fruitful season.  Second, we must note that the leaves do not wither which is an indicator of a healthy tree that is providing shade, oxygen.

Now let’s take a step back and look at the tree.  The tree is made strong, healthy and fruitful by the word of God which is living and active to guide our convictions (Hebrews 4:12), and the word of God performs work in us (1Thessalonians 2:13).  This work is done in us by the word of truth is our sanctification (John 17:17) which is the process of us being made holy.  As we grow in the Word, we are no longer children tossed around by the winds of false beliefs (Ephesians 4:14), but we start to grow up to be mature believers who speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).  In addition to the word of truth, we also have the Holy Spirit who is our helper (John 14:16) and the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17) who guides us in truth (John 16:13).

It is important to understand that the Holy Spirit is the one who produces fruit in the Christian (Galatians 5:22-25).  The Christian on their own cannot produce any fruit (John 15:4), but fruit grows as we abide (remain faithful) in Christ (John 15:5).  The abiding life is how we grow in holiness, and grow in Christ-likeness, our spiritual formation.  Jesus said that by bearing much fruit, we prove that we are disciples (John 15:8) by abiding in His love (John 15:9-10).  As we practice our faith and grow spiritually, fruit will be produced in our hearts.  Fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control in restraint, and self-control in sexual purity.  The fruit of the Spirit grows in us and forms the disposition of our heart, which is manifest in actions.  So, for example, giving of your time or money may delight you, so you are proactive to contribute to needs as you encounter them, rather than obligation.  Or you may exercise self-control in sexual purity.  Though a man may desire to exercise this self-control to honor his Beloved, the fruit of the Spirit is in the practice of godliness.

So, as we observe the tree, here is something to consider as a Christian growing up to be a firmly rooted tree.  In Mark 10:45, the Lord Jesus told us that He did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.  Jesus also told us that a tree is known by its fruit and a good tree produces good fruit (Matthew 12:33), which He elaborates on to tell us that the quality of fruit in a Christians life is a reflection of the posture of our hearts (Matthew 12:35).  So, in understanding fruit and the source of fruit, this is what we need to know about the tree in Psalm 1:3.  A good tree 1) provides fruit for the physical and spiritual nutrition of others.  A good tree is 2) leafy providing shade for those that need to get out of the heat and rest. A good tree is 3) firmly rooted which means that it is strong to lean on for those that need comfort, and a firmly rooted tree 4) provides good counsel by the wisdom of God and not the counsel of the wicked, and lastly, the good tree is 5) genuine, as fruit must come from a fruit tree; if you want apples, you need to be an apple tree.  Lastly, it is important to understand that the good tree is not selective, but rather a good tree provides fruit, shade, rest, stability and wisdom to whomever comes to it.  This is important to understand because as Christians, we are called to bring the gospel to a dying world, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to be vessels of mercy, ambassadors for Christ, salt & light, children of God, and redeemed.  As we grow to be like Jesus by living the abiding life, we will find that our transformation as good fruit bearing trees will take root as our second nature, i.e. fruit grows from our being, not from our doing.  

Prayer: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of His Body and Blood.  Send us now into the world in peace and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart, through Christ our Lord. Amen!