Fruitful Trees?

They (the obedient, righteous or godly) are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:3-6

It is not wise to choose to be wicked…or to even be good buddies with that kind of people. Sure, Jesus associated with the tax collectors (Matthew 9:10), an adulterous woman (John 8:3-11) and Pharisees (Luke 7:36-40)—but He didn’t become like them. He influenced and changed the lives of anyone who came to Him with a repentant heart. Like a paralytic whose friends brought him to Jesus to be healed in Matthew 9:2 and the woman who was healed by touching Jesus robe, Matthew 9:20-22, Jesus was merciful to any who asked for His help, His healing touch.

This fall time of the year is beautiful with all the different colored leaves. Autumn is that time when ripe fruit like the apples, pears and plums are ready to be picked. Not all trees produce fruit--some are just colorful. Are you producing fruit? Are you like the tree growing along a riverbank, bearing fruit and prospering? Or are you like the wicked, worthless person who is blown about with no goal in mind, not focused on doing anything good, pretty leaves or bare branches blowing in the wind, not interested in the Lord, but headed down a road to destruction? The choice is yours. Each person chooses their own destiny. No one chooses for someone else. We may walk along beside others, but our destiny is in our own hands. It is reassuring that the Lord watches over the path of the godly—the road that His followers take. Where are you going and who is going alongside of you?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, give us wisdom to see the godly path that You have for us. May we follow it…and You…along the river of living water where You have planted us. Help us to see Your grace, mercy, peace and love in all that happens in our lives as we walk along that path over which You are watching.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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