Series - "Bible Trees" III - "Like A Palm Tree"
Psalm 92:12-15

September 4, 2005

Pastor William Underwood

There are 41 different illustrations of a tree used in the Bible. 12 times it is used in the Psalms. The first mention of Palm Tree is Exodus 15 (Elam with 12 wells and 70 Palm Trees.) Elam was an oasis in the wilderness. The last mention of a Palm Tree is in Revelation 7 where the great host is gathered around the throne of the Lamb waving palm branches of victory. Palms are always related to victory. Solomon had Palm Trees carved in the cedar wood on the wall of the Temple and on the gates of the court. Ezekiel describes the last Temple and the palms are a part of the interior decoration. At Jesus' Triumphal Entry, Palms were waved to welcome their King. Palms illustrate what the Christian should be. Two things: 1-Flourishing and 2-Fruitful

I - FLOURISHING A Hebrew word - means, "bud, or blossom".
A- The Palm tree grows straight and tall - attractive.
1-The trunk is bare but the top has lots of leaves and flowers and fruit. 2-In Israel the Date Palm is very popular - flowers produce the fruit - they are beautiful when they bloom. 3-The dates grow in large bunches - weigh 50 pounds 4-The Christian life should be attractive and beautiful. 5-A nasty attitude does not attract people.
B- The word "flourish" is used 3 times in verses 12,13,14
1-In vs. 7 it means "springing up" - the wicked spring up everywhere and all the time - they will always be around. 2-Vs. 12 it means, "blossoming out" or prosperous a-It is not struggling to live - half dead - but prospering. 3-Vs. 13 it means "continuous growth" - keeps growing. 4-They "flourish in the courts of God" - the tree is in the outer courts but the roots reach under the inner sanctuary. 5-We live in the world where people see us - but our hearts reach to God for our spiritual life. 6-The Palm must be in touch with water - we must be constantly in touch with God. 7-Do YOU flourish like the Palm Tree?

II -FRUITFUL - Vs. 14
A- In Psalm 1 - "Brings forth fruit in his season"
1-The Palm tree is beautiful all year around - tall and stately and always "fresh and green". 2-Galatians 5:22-23 list the "fruit of the Spirit" 3-These fruits are constantly produced in our lives. 4-Vs. 14 - "Even in old age they will stay fresh and green." 5-No one needs to become a "cranky old man".
B- The PURPOSE of the Palm is in vs. 15
1-Amplified Bible reads, "They are living memorials to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises." 2-Are WE "living memorials" to the grace of God?

Is the life of the Palm Tree characteristic of our lives as Christians? This is what God expects of us. We cannot win others to Christ if our life does not bear the fruit of His Spirit. The way we LIVE speaks louder than the way we SPEAK.