I planted a serviceberry tree in the middle of my front yard. I chose this particular tree because it promised spring flowers, summer berries, fiery fall foliage and winter grace. I had high hopes for year-round interest. Unfortunately, the first spring storm removed every flower. The berries suffered from cedar rust. The leaves wilted before the summer ended without changing color. It did not perform as well as I hoped.
Psalm 1:3 describes the tree I want. It “is like a tree planted by steams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” This describes a good, strong, healthy tree that is meant to inspire the same attributes in me, so that I can be fruitful for the Lord. Psalm 1 tells me how I can be like this steadfast, blessed and prosperous tree. I must be careful where I plant myself. The importance of where I spend my time and who I allow to influence me cannot be overstated because the position of planting determines whether I will prosper or perish. We soak up our surroundings like roots in soil. The man who walks in the counsel of the wicked, or stands in the way of sinners, or sits in the seat of scoffers is a man who has planted himself in unhealthy soil and he will perish. But a man who plants himself before the Lord, “delights in the law of the Lord” meditating on it “day and night” he is the blessed and prosperous tree.
If I want my serviceberry tree to be what it was meant to be, I will have to move it to better soil. In the same way, if I want to be blessed and prosper spiritually, I must be careful to plant myself in God’s word.