Daily Encouragement

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Monday, September 30, 2024

Oldest Sycamore tree in PA (Click to enlarge)

Lancaster County's 'Old Sycamore' estimated to be some 350 years old!
(Click on photo to enlarge)

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Message summary: Am I like an "oak with fading leaves" or like "a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither"?

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Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers" (Psalm 1:1-3). "You will be like an oak with fading leaves" (Isaiah 1:30).

We have two large oaks in our front lawn. They have grown a lot since we moved here in early 2002 but both have become diseased, one more than the other, with a condition known as oak wilt. Among other symptoms it causes the leaves to die early in the season and many of the branches are dead in one of them.

Last week I was visiting with Ken, a friend who showed me an old bank barn on his farm built in the 1800's. Ken was born on this Lebanon County farm and has spent his entire life there. He farmed for several years as a young adult before starting a business over 45 years ago with his wife Audrey which is located on the same farm land.

It sits along Little Swatara Creek which periodically floods. This type of flooding can be beneficial for farmland, agriculturally called bottom land unlike what we are seeing in other parts of the U.S. Our thoughts and prayers go out to so many in the southeast with the extreme flooding that has taken many lives and caused tremendous damage.

As we were visiting Ken pointed to a huge Sycamore tree along the bank of the creek. Back in the early 60's when he was a little boy an elderly man who was the prior owner of the farm told him that when he was just a young boy in the late 1800's the tree was the same size and Ken told me that today it's still about the same size. So, in well over 100 years, the tree has not grown much taller. It has a hole in the trunk but otherwise appears quite healthy as far as the foliage. (I took a photo of the tree but since I couldn't get down the creek bank due to heavy brush the photo I took was unimpressive.)

Psalm 1:3 describes that a healthy spiritual life is like "a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither".

The second text is taken from a portion of Isaiah dealing with the rebellious nation of Israel. It's a stunning chapter and includes this warning applicable to all nations, "Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him" (Isaiah 1:4). In so many ways this describes our nation today.

Various illustrations are used to describe Israel's condition including today's text, "You will be like an oak with fading leaves" (Isaiah 1:30). Contextually, this is speaking of the nation's condition as the people rebelled against God. Today we can consider this text on the national level (wherever we live) and consider how our nation is "like an oak with fading leaves". It's an interesting analogy to contemplate as we consider the moral and spiritual condition of our land.

Let us also consider this verse on a personal level in an examination of our own personal relationship with the Lord and ask ourselves this question: Am I like "a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither" or "an oak with fading leaves"?

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, I want to be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, fruitful in every season of my life. I don't want to be like an oak with fading leaves" that wither during the winter season as I grow old and more feeble. Though I may be more dormant I can still hold fast to the profession of my faith and not let the importance of its truths lessen over time. I can do that by living a life above reproach, clinging to Your promises, immersing myself in the Scriptures and prayer, and trusting You for all that concerns me in every season of my life. Like a tree receives health by drawing from its water supply I want to remain spiritually healthy by drinking from Your springs of living water. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Abide" Listen on YouTube Aaron Williams Brooksyne's note: This song has captured my thoughts day in and day out since first hearing it. It reminds me not to navigate life on my own but to rely daily on Jesus, for He is the "Bread of Life"; the "Way, the Truth and the Life"; the "Well that never runs dry". I'm reminded because these pictures of Christ are sung several times in "Abide". They stay on my mind and in my heart as I go throughout my day.

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How to become a Christian: https://twowaystolive.com/

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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