"They are called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that HE MIGHT BE GLORIFIED"
- TREES ARE PLANTED BY SOMEONE. These trees of righteousness are "the planting of the Lord." Christ said, "Every plant which my Father hath not planted shall be rooted up" (Matt. 15:13).
- TREES WHICH LIVE HAVE THEIR ROOTS IN WATER. These trees of righteousness have their roots in Christ, "the living water." "I will give you living water," our Lord said (John 4:10).
- TREES WHICH GOD PLANTS BEAR FRUIT. "He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (John 15:5). That fruit is the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility, and temperance.
- TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS NEVER WITHER AND DIE. How could He be glorified if His vineyard died or brought forth no fruit? No! "He bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Psalm 1:3).
As God's people grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ, our prayers change! There is more praise and less petition; more gratitude and less "give me;" more thanksgiving and fewer request. I believe this is a sign of spiritual maturity. Psalm 103 is an example of this. Most agree that David wrote the psalm in his latter years; for there is a clear sense of the FRAILTY OF THIS LIFE, there is a KEENER AWARENESS OF SIN, and there is a HIGH PRIORITY PLACED ON MERCY AND FORGIVENESS! As far as I can tell, NOT ONE PETITION NOR REQUEST occurs throughout the entire psalm. The psalmist, David, kneels in adoration and praises the Lord Himself. Let us learn from this. It is possible to be taken up with blessings, gifts, and benefits and fail to praise, thank, and rejoice in THE LORD HIMSELF!