Fruit and Seasons

An on-line sermon by John Piper on the Psalms ("Songs That Shape the Heart and Mind") brought Psalm 1, verse 3 back to my thinking. It speaks of the righteous man: "He is like a tree planted by streams of waters that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:3; ESV)


The phrase, "fruit in its season," especially caught my attention. I have to confess that sometimes I look for fruit when it is not its season, and that discourages me. But the Lord himself has this to say: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing." And, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:4-5, 8; ESV)


But who is the source of the fruit? How can we bear such fruit? The Spirit is the source, as we read in Paul's letter to Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (5:22-23; ESV)

Is there an age limit to fruitfulness? Not according to Psalm 92:12-15: "The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." (ESV)




Abide, and be encouraged as the Spirit takes Christ's life and causes it to flow in and through you, making you fruitful in God's way and time.

Proverbs 3:5-6 and a comment on Plus Psalm 23:1 and a comment on that

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

I can only speak for myself, of course, but sometimes I make things more hard than I need to when grappling with understanding and making the right decisions. This week our so gracious and patient [long suffering] Lord reminded me of these verses and they were exactly [of course] what I needed--and no doubt will continue to need.

Perhaps they will benefit you too at this time.

Another verse from Psalm 23 also helped me then:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.

Nothing. That means the wisdom, the understanding, the direction, will all be made clear to me exactly as needed and exactly when needed.

Ephesians 1:13-14 and a comment on

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

The Holy Spirit--God Himself--is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it; no better guarantee [guarantor] than God Himself.

The Doctrine of Election in the Old Testament

I was astonished to discover the doctrine of election in this place in that covenant, and blessed by the clarity of it:

Psalm 65:4:
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
the holiness of your temple!

Amen!