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Day 84: Blooming Among Thorns (Bonus Lesson 12)

 To bloom is to flourish. It is a state of health, beauty, youth, and vigor. In the Old Testament, the righteous are often compared to evergreen trees. An example is Psalm 1 and in its first two verses are three principles of flourishing. Let's look at them in the Amplified Classic Version.


1. Verse 1 - Avoid negative influence:

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.”

Though we live in this world, we are not to be influenced by or conform to the world's ways. We must be able to discern unhealthy relationships and companies and avoid them. Proverbs 13:20 in the Message Translation says:

“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”

Jesus was often found interacting and dining with sinners. This was not because He wanted to be like them or gain their approval, but because He wanted to win them over to God's Kingdom. Everyone knew what He stood for and was about.

God leaves us among thorns so we can testify to His goodness and witness to the unsaved. A remarkable example is Paul. God clearly stated that the purpose of his persecution and journey to Rome was to witness Jesus. We see other examples like Daniel and his friends, Nehemiah, Esther, Mordecai and so many others in the Bible. We are to influence the world and not be influenced by it.

2. Verse 2: commit to learning and living according to God's word.

“But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord...”

Our commitment to God can be measured not only by our commitment to prayer or church though important, by our commitment to His word. We must learn and obey God's ways. It's not enough to know God's ways. To truly walk in it we must love it. (See Lesson 13: Sin, Love, and Obedience for more on this).

The word of God is God's wisdom and it says to us:

“My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings.”
Proverbs 4:20 AMP

It's not enough to go to church and hear sermons, we must study the word for ourselves. Many believers follow wrong doctrines because they don't study the word for themselves.

Some others know all the right things but do not practice them.

3. Verse 2 - Meditation

“...and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.”

Just as a land uncultivated grows weeds on its own, if we are not intentional about planting the right seeds in our hearts, we will gradually look like the world around us each day.

As long as we are in this world, we are fed its ideologies and ways every day without our consent. We must guard our hearts as much as we can, be intentional about rooting out worldly mindsets, and cultivate God's word in our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 (Good News Translation):

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

Verse 3 of Psalm 1 tells us the outcome of following these principles:

“And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper...”

That's blooming!

Lastly, as a blooming flower is bright and rich in color, the true sign that you are blooming is not what people see though that is important. The most significant sign of the state of your heart is joy.

Regardless of what we go through, we must cling to certain truths that will help us hold on to the joy of the Spirit. They are:

     1. Jesus has already overcome. John 16:33:

“...In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

     2. Difficult times are only temporal. Romans 8:18 says:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

     3. The greatest asset a man can have is that he belongs to Christ: Luke 10:20:

“...rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Our salvation should be our greatest source of joy. No matter what we go through we should wear it proudly like a badge of honor.

When we lose these perspectives, we slowly lose interest in God, His word, and His ways. The result is that we become to wither.

(See Lesson 33: The Joy of His Presence to learn more about joy).

PRAY WITH ME:
Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of salvation and to be able to show forth your beauty and goodness in a world full of thorns. Grant me Lord a greater passion for your word and ways. Help me to keep my heart focused on the right things so I never lose the joy of salvation. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:
  • Read Psalm 119 and Proverbs 4. Note the attitudes we're expected to have toward God's word and the benefits of obeying it.


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