Dear Church of the Open Bible,
I had the privilege of visiting Israel in 2018, and one of the spots on our tour was the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Garden are several olive trees. At first glance, they don’t seem like much. They are not especially colourful compared to some trees we have here. They are not especially big compared to the trees we are used to seeing. But they are especially old. Their trucks are gnarled and weathered. The trees around us don’t even come close to lasting how long these have. Recent tests date these olive trees to being at least 900 yrs. old!
In Psalm 52, David sings of the fickle and fleeting nature of those who put their trust in anything other than God. Then he ends the song by describing himself as a green olive tree in the house of God. Listen to the characteristics of those rooted in the steadfast love of God.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
I will thank you forever, because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.
(Psalm 52:8–9)
Do you see those three characteristics? Trust - “I will trust,” thankfulness - “I will thank you,” and patience - “I will wait.” These are the commitments of one who will last. The steadfast love of God endures forever. Will you root yourself in that love?