This morning we get back to our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, and out a mini-series within it entitled “Focusing on the Word”. We have already spent over a month walking our way through the first half of the first psalm. Let’s get back to it and pick up where we left off. The Bible says:
(Psalm 1:1-3 KJV) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 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.”
(Psalm 1:1-3 ERV) “Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.”
The psalmist uses this tree as a picture of the life of “The Blessed Man”. We have already dealt with the fact that this tree produces fruit when it is supposed to, but for this morning we will focus in on the leaves. My focus is on the line: “his leaf also shall not wither”, or “has leaves that never fall.”
While fruit is what your life produces for other people, to add value to this world, leaves are an indication of your personal health. I looked up a few reasons why leaves wither and fall. Leaves wither and fall because of stress, pests, disease, nutrient deficiency, and a lack of water and/or light. Therefore, a tree with healthy leaves is a tree free of stress and disease, not infected with pests, and with a sufficient supply of nutrients, water and light. This is a picture of the believer who takes the time to meditate and medicate on God’s Word day and night.
God’s timing is impeccable. This message is ‘right on time’ for me. Last I was in church and I needed a touch from God. I am always seeking to BE a blessing to others, but if I continually pour-out without allowing the Father to replenish me, I run the risk of getting burned-out. Many times, while I am in church, I am busy working on this or that. Last night I freed myself of all distractions, I purposely did not get involved in anything to do with the service, and I enjoyed sweet communion with the Father. I lost myself in worship. While I was on my knees I was translated into God’s presence. And when I came out, the Word spoke to me on many, many levels. My heart, mind and soul were all refreshed, renewed and revived last night. We all need that from time to time. Producing fruit for others is great. But we can’t forget about ourselves. Our leaves need to be green, healthy and strong.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Maintain your hunger and thirst for God. If you come to Him with true hunger and thirst, you will be filled.
- There is a danger in pouring-out your life for others on a daily basis. The danger is NOT taking the time to be replenished yourself.
- While your life should produce fruit (adding value to others), the tree of your life should also have strong leaves, indicating that you are personally healthy and strong.
- Sometimes cooks are the worst eaters. Don’t let this happen to you. Producing for others is part of your assignment, but maintaining your personal spiritual health is paramount. You can’t give what you don’t have.
- The Blessing of the Lord comes TO you before it flows THROUGH you. Never forget that. You need to enjoy and maintain The Blessing as you seek to become a conduit of it.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. As I bring my life into focus in 2016 I take the time to seek Your face daily. Yes, I meditate and medicate on Your Word, but I also seek Your face. I worship You daily. I spend time in Your presence. I hunger and thirst for righteousness and I know You will fill me. You bless me to BE a blessing to others. You produce fruit through my life. I am adding value to this world. But while I am continually POURING OUT, I also seek you to continually POUR IN. You replenish me daily Father. Even this morning, You touch me afresh. You revive me anew. My fruit may be an indicator of what You are producing through me for others, but my leaves are an indicator of how healthy I am on the inside. Thank You Father for helping me to recalibrate my focus. Living this way 2016 shall be the best year of my life! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
