MEDITATIONS FROM PAUL’S EPISTLES

 

January 9 , 2008

Reading:  1 Corinthians 10:23-33

 

"The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” 1 Corinthians 10:26

 

When considering the above statement one must conclude that, if the earth belongs to the Lord then He can do anything with it He wishes. A few examples are a storm on the sea – Jonah, a famine in the land – Psalm 105:6, and multitudes of other things.

 

“Then He utters His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens: And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries” Jeremiah 10:13.

 

He created paradise on earth for His new creation, Adam and Eve. It was a perfect place containing everything they needed for sustenance and enjoyment. They lacked for nothing. When they sinned God banned them from this wonderful place. After their miraculous deliverance from the clutches of Egypt, during which God parted the waters to protect them from their enemies, He provided water, food, shoes, and guidance (Shekinah glory) in the desert. And so, throughout scripture, there are evidences of God controlling the weather. It was a simple matter for Jesus to command the storm to cease on Galilee. He owns it and has complete control over it. When He cursed the fig tree it withered and became barren. Trees were a part of the wonders of Eden and played a great part in the history of man.

 

“The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” Genesis 2:9.

 

“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” Genesis 2:16-17.

 

“In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month” Revelation 22:2.

 

As you can see, that which was lost in Eden is restored in the Paradise God which He has prepared for His people. But what has made this possible?

 

“When He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed” 1 Peter 2:23-25.

 

How important trees are in the plan and purposes of God.

 

“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God" ' Revelation 2:7. 

 

The tree that was felled and prepared as a cross,

Was no different from others in the forest;

It’s life was taken, it suffered great loss,

Upon it was nailed the Father’s Best.

 

The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden

Was lost to man because of his sin;

But it still grows in God’s new garden,

Awaiting God’s people as they enter in.

 

O, my Redeemer, who hung on the tree,

Whose love is displayed as You carried my shame;

It was not a mistake for You died for me,

As You hung on that tree You uttered my name.

 

I rest in Your shade, my Tree of great branches,

I eat of Your Fruit to nourish my soul;

I lap up Your dew as the Spirit teaches,

I am strong as Your roots dig deep in the soil.

 

The winds may blow but Your strength protects me,

The devil may tempt, but as You can see—

No matter the storms, I will always be

One with my Savior, my Strength and my Tree.

 

I love You, my Savior, for lifting the ban,

For removing the swords of the angels;

I love You for making of me a new man,

Your work on the tree all else it excels.