In a series of upcoming posts, I am extending an invitation to 40 Days in the Shade of God’s Care. I hope this rejuvenating journey brings new dimensions of refreshment and joy to your soul.
Day 1 – The Key to Refresh Your Weary Soul
Psalm 1
Oh, the joys of those who …delight in the law of the LORD,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
Life can feel a little overwhelming at times. Sometimes it abounds with more problems than solutions. Often, the abundance of opportunity or responsibility causes exhaustion. If you’ve felt that way a time or two, I invite you to pause, to ponder this Psalm. The song-writer compares our life to a tree. We can’t determine everything about its growth cycle, but we can determine the landscape where its rooted.
Life’s demands often prohibit the vital flow of nourishment from our roots, through the trunk, and out to the various branches of our life as a mom, a wife, a professional, a chef by night, taxi driver by day, an entrepreneur, creative thinker, fitness enthusiast, etc. The curled leaves on these branches are evidence of our thirst for something more.
Take courage, my friend. Jesus extends a generous invitation to river-side living—where roots drink long and often, carrying supply into the various branches of our being. That nourishment reaches the numerous affairs of any given day. How do we discover this cool-water living? It is the result of our eagerness to allow God’s word to speak, to become a river of supply into the deepest parts of our life. God offers more refreshment than we can imagine. He desires our life to produce delicious fruit that weighs the branches low with its glory.
I’ve felt overwhelmed with the heavy weight of change in my life; change that impacts every branch and threatens each leaf on my tree. At one point of uncertainty, Jesus led me to this Psalm and reminded me of His invitation: DRINK! Like a tree planted by the water, I began to sip the cool water while I pondered the words of the next verse in Psalm 1.
For the LORD watches over the path of the godly…
God assured me: You are not alone. I am going before you and grooming a trail designed by my wisdom, for my glory—resulting in your delight. You have nothing to fear. I will lead you every step of the way.
Eventually, my leaves responded to His promise. His assurance flowed into every detail of my new reality.
Do you feel weary—or withered? I invite you to plant your tree on the river’s edge of His Word—and drink. I would suggest pondering a favorite verse or a familiar Psalm. Inhale deeply in the assurance of His promise:
Oh, the joys for those who will drink!