Olive Trees

It has happened to me twice in the last year. And before that time, I can't remember it ever happening. As I was spending time reading God's word, meditating on it, and talking with Him about it, He gave me the reference to a verse in His word. Now, I've been around scripture long enough that the popular verses are usually familiar to me. I know what type of words to expect from certain places in the Bible, and I'm friendly with my concordance. I've spent hours pouring over a certain topic, or trying to find a certain verse. But only twice can I remember a reference in scripture that I didn't know coming into my head during the quiet moments.

Feeling insecure in this new place, I was thinking on sheltering under the Eagle's wings and resting on the Rock of Ages ... and I thought, "Psalm 52:8." What is Psalm 52:8, I wondered, and upon searching, found this:

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

Psalm 52:8 (NIV)

Now, I'm a Bible scribbler. I've tried to break the habit. I've tried to keep the pages clean of my thoughts, but I must confess. I am a Bible scribbler. The pages of my Bible are covered with thoughts, comments from other sources, cross references, little drawings (like a little sheep every time I come across something to do with us being sheep), etc. Underlinings. Stars. Exclamation marks. They're all there. But, Psalm 52:8 hadn't a single mark. No notes. Nothing. I know I had read it on one of my trips through the Bible in a year, but that's it. And there it sat.

I started to wonder about the significance of an olive tree, so I did a little research and found several things of interest. First, in appearance. Olive trees are gnarled and twisted. They show the signs of some internal need to convulse and writhe. Sounds like me. I certainly tend to fight life instead of resting in it. Peace is not a natural posture for me, but God lays it on my life with great patience.

Olive trees are evergreen. Their lives go through cycles with the seasons, as with any tree, but they stay green and beautiful. When I am "trusting in God's unfailing love," the green of my life is evident, regardless of the struggles or changes. God's beauty flows through me.

Fifteen years is a long time, in the world of human existence and in the world of gardening. It takes dedication and perseverance to care for a plant for fifteen years. Only after that time does an olive tree produce a good harvest. Fifteen years! How long has God carried me, pruned me and nurtured me with dedication and perseverance, waiting for the fruitful harvest?

I read that mature olive trees can withstand a temperature drop to -8°C for short periods of time. Their root system has to be protected from freezing. Hmmm ... seems that I could survive anything as long as I am firmly rooted in God, His love, His word. Anything. Since the dove brought Noah an olive branch after the flood, we can assume that an olive tree even survived the destructive power of the flood. Anything.

So perhaps in my moments of insecurity, God's message is simple. His unfailing love lasts forever. Resting in that, trusting in the complete and unwavering truth of His love ... there I will flourish. 

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

Psalm 52:8 (NIV)

So thankful. So blessed.

Want more on Olive Trees and faith? Take a look at PRAY 4 ZION's article, Lessons from the Olive Tree.