How Can I Be Like An Olive Tree?

Prayer – Lord, show me if there is anything in my life…my thought, words, or actions…that displeases You. I want to please you and will praise Your forever—for what You have done for me, for my family, friends, and neighbors. You are an awesome God.

A psalm of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, "David has gone to see Ahimelech." Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior? Don't you realize God's justice continues forever? All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you're an expert at telling lies. You love evil more than good and lies more than truth. You love to destroy others with your words, you liar! But God will strike you down once and for all. He will pull you from your home and uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous will see it and be amazed. They will laugh and say, "Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness." But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. Psalm 52:1-9

Meditate. Do you worship God or your wealth?

Saul was just not a good guy. Amazing that God chose him to be king. Choices that Saul made along the way resulted in his own downfall. Note that Doeg accused Saul of loving evil, not good; of lying; and of trusting his wealth, not God. It is so easy for most people to just rely on themselves, not acknowledging that their wealth comes from God—who makes all things possible.

Old Olive Trees
Garden of Gethsemane - Jerusalem, Israel

It is God who makes us like an olive tree—trees that live for a thousand years. What a living example of life everlasting! Thriving, trusting, and praising the Lord. We can trust God’s unfailing love—I know I do. He has given me strength when I’ve been so weak and discouraged. What an encourager the Holy Spirit is—and the Holy Spirit is God. He inspires and motivates me even in writing this blog for more than ten years. I trust God. He provides guidance, protection, safety…and even a good parking place…just when I need it. And He has brought wonderful Christian friends into my life—no coincidence—just when I needed a friend, a smiling face, and a joyful opportunity to chat over a good meal. God is present with us always—but especially when we are with other Christian friends. Such friends inspire and encourage each other. I smile just remembering them. They are so unlike Saul. That’s it…striving to be like Jesus…not like Saul.

Verse of Salvation ~ May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:11

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  Matthew 6:33

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

 

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories