Psalm 1 has great news for you. “He [the blessed man] is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:3, ESV).
Christ is our living water; all we have to do is be planted near him and drink from his stream. “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37-39).
Planting ourselves by the Lord’s stream actually produces delight. When we abide near his living water, we see clearly that his law is life-giving. We thirst for more of it and make it our delight.
As we draw on his powerful stream, we see our roots expanding, anchoring us, and shooting strength to our branches. Christ’s constant stream helps us through not only daily temptations but also through the roughest seasons of life.
What is your soul’s condition when you have financial troubles, when your marriage is in a difficult place, when your job is tenuous or when your children struggle in ways that don’t seem to have a solution? Are you quick to despair? Do you revisit all your failures?
When you are planted beside living water, you can draw on his strength to see you through. You’ll be reminded of previous trials that the Lord brought you through. In this way, “In all that he does, he prospers.” We prosper by knowing his peace despite all outward circumstances; that is how we thrive in life.
Most of all, we delight in his Word with an increasing hunger for it. In turn, his life-giving Word generates delight in our souls.
This devotion was drawn from chapter 1 of Gary Wilkerson’s new book The Altar of Our Hearts. This book is available for purchase in the World Challenge bookstore.