Each
fall those who live in Minnesota get to enjoy the beauty of the changing colors revealed in
the trees. Each time I see the vast
array of orange, brown, red, and yellow I am reminded of the beauty and splendor
of God. The Bible has some interesting
things to say about trees in which we can also find a parallel application to our
lives.
1)
God created the trees. The Bible says, “And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow
out of the ground” (Genesis 2:9). Trees
didn’t just happen—they were created by a loving God. You and I are creations of God. The Bible reminds us that “God created man in
his own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created
them” (Genesis 1:27).
2)
Trees reflect beauty. In the creation story there is a phrase that
speaks directly to the beauty of color in the trees—whether in summer, autumn
or fall. The Bible further notes: “And the Lord God
made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to
the eye and good for food. In the
middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil” (Genesis 2:9).
You and I are a reflection of the beauty of the Lord. The Bible says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”
(Ephesians 2:10).
3)
Trees are fruitful. Trees have been gifted with fruit which they
produce after their kind. The Bible records,
“Each tree is
recognized by its own fruit...” (Luke 5:44). People are blessed and strengthened by the
fruit that a tree yields. You and I
are told to be fruitful. A command
from the Bible says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to
go and bear fruit—fruit that will last..." (John
15:16). In order to be fruitful we need
the strength and power that God gives. We
are further reminded, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must
remain in the vine. Neither can you bear
fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4).
4)
Trees are expressive. The Bible says: “Then the trees of
the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to
judge the earth” (I Chronicles 16:33). In the Bible the psalmist expresses it this
way,“Let the
fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy” (Psalm
96:12). You and I were created to be
expressive toward God. Psalms further
notes, “He put a
new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in
the Lord” (Psalm 40:3). Still another
psalm says, “Come,
let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our
salvation” (Psalm 95:1).
5)
Trees grow. The Bible notes, “Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the
largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air
can perch in its shade” (Mark 4:32).
You and I need to grow in our relationship with God. The Bible says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (II Peter 3:18).
As
you observe the trees this fall, think about the spiritual application of trees
to your life.
