There is another way of living presented by the psalmist in Psalm 1. Listen to his description. . .

³They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

Psalm 1:3

I like this. When I visited Israel, I encountered this very image. We were hiking the wadi (wa-dee) from Jerusalem to Jericho – the one the Samaritan might have taken in Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan.

It was hot, dry and sandy. We walked for what seemed like hours through this parched, dry river bed. Along the way, I saw a tree growing next to what would be a water source in the rainy season. It was beautiful, lush, and thriving in spite of the arid environment. How did it do that?

I only know that as I pondered this tree growing so beautifully in such adverse conditions, I yearned for that in my own life. I want my roots to go deep to resources of nourishment. I want to bear fruit in every season of my life with grace and mercy that doesn’t wither when life gets tough. I don’t have to be a big, showy tree; I just want to be a living, vibrant one. Maybe an olive tree because olives are awesome!

The psalmist presents two ways of living –influenced by corrupt thinkers or like this tree – I choose the tree. What does it take to get there? Come back tomorrow and we will listen to the psalmist again.