LESSONS FROM THE PALM TREE

The Bible tells us in Psalm 92:12- The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree.

Have you wondered why God compares the righteous to a palm tree?? Why a palm tree??

Let me give you 4 points of comparison-

1.     A Blessing to the people:

The palm tree refers to the date palm growing in the desert regions. It leads a very long and useful life and is a huge blessing to the people living in these desert regions. It is what you would call, A GIVING TREE. In fact, there is not a single part of it that is not of use to the people living in these regions. The encyclopedia Britannica lists the following uses of the date palm-

The trunk gives us timber, midrib of the leaves are used to make crates and furniture, leaflets are used to make baskets, leaf is used a fuel, fruit stalks are used to make ropes, fibers for cordage and packing materials, seeds are ground and fed to cattle, fruits give syrup, vinegar, alcohol, wine  and honey. Last but not the least, the fruits form the diet of people living in Arabia and Persia. It is then, not surprising at all that the Lord compares us to the palm tree and not other trees like the mango tree or the teak or the oak as, individually, they do not have such myriad uses as the date palm.

Lesson 1:

The palm tree then teaches us to be a giving people, giving not only of one or two areas of our life but giving in every possible way; giving of our time, our knowledge, our finances, our resources and our energy. To be a blessing to people around us!

2.     Thriving with available resources

The palm tree grows in sandy soil of the tropical and semi tropical regions. Sandy soil is a type of soil which has the least amount of resources. Less water, less salts, less fertility, less nourishment. Nevertheless the date palm grows and flourishes in this soil, in fact towering majestically over the other desert plants growing around it. Lack of fertile soil stunts the growth of most desert plants but not the date palm. This is made of sterner stuff.

 Lesson 2:

Similarly no matter where we are planted (good soil, average soil, not so good soil), God gives us the grace not just to grow anyhow,  but to thrive and flourish majestically like the palm tree.

3.      Steadfastness

The date palm is impervious to the changing climatic conditions and wind velocities of the desert regions where it grows. It has to grow in extreme conditions- blazing heat and freezing cold, sand storms and scanty rains. Yet it grows on steadfastly through all these different conditions, into a stately and majestic tree.

Lesson 3:

So, much as we dislike and fear difficult situations in our life, we must keep our focus on this particular trait of the date palm and move forward. God will surely see us through all difficult situations. Gods plan for us is not to make us a mediocre people but to make us an excellent people; excelling even when we face adverse situations.

  4.      Unchanging nature

The palm tree is perennially green throughout the year. Be it summer, spring, autumn or winter it never changes. Life flows through it continuously.

Lesson 4:

We have to be constant and unchanging ourselves. Not upbeat one day and down in the dumps another day. Always be a source of encouragement to the people around us.

Just to recap once again, God gives us grace to thrive with available resources, be steadfast and calm in difficult situations, unchanging through all seasons and to be a blessing to people around us.