Flourish Like an Olive Tree

              Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Allow God to fill you with His love and joy so that you will flourish!

                I’ve read the Psalms many times, but I saw something “new” as I looked at Psalm 52:8 recently.  David (the writer of this Psalm) said: “I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”

                We think we understand what David meant by trusting in God’s love.  God is faithful and loves us unconditionally.  But what did David mean by “flourishing like an olive tree”?  As I searched for explanation and understanding, I found this commentary: “With God by his side, David compared himself to an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. Not only is an olive tree one of the longest-living trees, but a flourishing tree has even greater longevity.  David was contrasting God’s eternal protection of his faithful servants with the destruction of the wicked.”  (Life Application Study Bible)

                Do you see yourself as a flourishing olive tree?  Or do you feel as if you’re weak…like a seedling which has little sunshine & water to grow strong?  To “flourish” in God and experience the security and excitement that David exemplified, we must have the same kind of unwavering faith.  David trusted in God’s love, His protection, His plan.  Is there any question why he could pen the words to this Psalm with such joy and assurance?!

                Praise the Lord! And flourish with joy as you stand strong & long,  like an olive tree.