A lesson in trusting God

‘..He went without knowing where he was going’ Hebrews 11:8

Many times in church, we have used the experience of David in 1 Samuel 30, to illustrate how we would recover things that the enemy has stolen from us. However, one of the most illuminating aspects of this story was how completely David trusted in God. This was a lesson that I need to remind myself daily in my walk with God.

The Amalekite had taken David’s family and those of his men. He inquired of the LORD who told him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” And he did.

There was no record that he asked God, how? Where? When. He pursued not knowing the exact route they took but he used his skill as a warrior. The most amazing part of the story was how they found the Egyptian slave who took part in the raid; he gave them all the relevant information they needed and even took them to where the enemies were - eating, dancing enjoying their spoil. David recovered all.

Another example was Abraham who responded to God’s call to leave his home, not knowing where he was going he obeyed and trusted God to take him to that Promised Land. His faith and trust in the word of God is what we are enjoying today.

Many times we pray to God and despite hearing His leading, we are still immobile – due to fear, doubt that it was God’s voice, procrastination, laziness you name it. Are you like this?

When God leads you, trust that He will surely help you with the resources you need to carry out the mission/task/activity, so what are you waiting for? Anything you want to do, once you get the sign off from God, pursue it!

Pruning for growth

I live in an area that has many trees. One day on my way from work, I noticed a row of trees have had all the branches chopped off! 'Why did they do that?' I asked myself. A few months later, I was intrigued to see leaves had started sprouting from the cut off branches. It did not need the branch to grow longer because it was still connected to the trunk which was still connected with the root that fed it.

Sometimes in life we go through a period when it seems we've been stripped of nearly everything if not all. We go through challenges that leaves us feeling vulnerable; maybe our job is gone, no income is coming in, our spouse have left us, we feel all alone and we are wondering why LORD?

Like those trees near my home, maybe we are going through our season of pruning. Maybe there are some dead leaves and branches that needs to be cut out of our trunk so that our lives can become even more fruitful and productive.

The trees were still able to produce green leaves because they were still connected to their root that gives them their nutrient for living. Just remain grounded in Jesus, the season shall pass and you will be even more fruitful.

Old and rugged but still productive

Over the past twelve months or so I have developed a passion for photography, not that I want to change careers but I am just fascinated by the stories that pictures tell.

A few yard from my home, there is this old tree, pictured below. It must be well over 100 years. It is one of the precious trees that are preserved by the city council; anyone who cuts it without permission can be fined up to twenty thousand pounds! 

On the lower part of the trunk, the bark is peeling off, it's trunk is rugged and cracked indicating its old age yet it still brings forth green trees every year. How come this tree is still bearing leaves in its old age? It is deeply rooted and connected to the source of its nutrients.

Every time I pass this tree, I am reminded about the children of God. Old age is not a barrier to productivity and fruitfulness. As long as you are deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, you will continue to get your daily nourishment and the life-giving nutrients to continue to be fruitful until Jesus calls you home.

Truly, those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. 

Why like a palm tree?

Palm trees inhabits every type of habitat from desert to rain forest with evergreen leaves. They are a symbol of peace, fertility and victory. Palm trees can reach great heights and have long life. A palm tree's life span can be up to 150 years. Palm trees have fibrous root that spreads out and grow deep, giving it a solid base that bends but does not break under the force of a wind. The Palm Tree is one of the most cultivated plant in the world, signifying fruitfulness in abundance.
As a believer, prophetically declare Psalm 92:11-13 over your life.