Oaks of Righteousness

Oak of Righteousness

"So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

Isaiah 61:3 (NASB)

The Ocheltree Shepherding Group has adopted a symbol: the Oak of Righteousness.

Oak of Righteousness. What makes an oak tree righteous? Many characteristics, I'm sure. But we will limit our discussion to four.

1. Oaks are highly adaptable. They can survive in many types of soil. They can live through times of plenty and times of drought. When water is scarce due to drought, oak trees find underground water sources through their extensive system of taproots.

Psalm 1:1-3 compares the righteous to a tree:

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season 

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers."

Righteous people drink deeply from the "Living Water" of God's Word and intimate fellowship with God. (John 4:13,14) When difficulties arise, whether they involve natural disaster, man-made disaster, interpersonal conflict or personal struggles, righteous people are able to keep going with the deep resources of God's Word and God's presence.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Mark 13:31 (NIV)

2. Oaks reproduce themselves. Those tiny acorns that fall from the mighty oak tree can be carried by wildlife, water or wind to new areas, where more oak trees will spring up. Jesus calls on His followers to "go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15 NIV)

Before that seed can reproduce a mighty oak tree, it must fall into the ground and die. In the same way, we must die to our own selfish desires and personal agendas, if we are truly to carry God's good news into the world:

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24 (NIV)

3. Oaks give shelter and protection to many:

"The righteous care about justice for the poor,

but the wicked have no such concern." Proverbs 29:7 (NIV)

"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,

but the righteous stand firm forever."

Proverbs 10:25 (NIV)

"The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous,

but it is the ruin of those who do evil."

Proverbs 10:29 (NIV)

"The righteous will never be uprooted,

but the wicked will not remain in the land."

Proverbs 10:30 (NIV)

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

4. Oak trees have longevity and stability. They remain, year after year, giving shade and character to a hillside. They protect the soil from erosion by standing firm. Storms, drought and intense heat do not destroy the mighty tree. It continues to do its job.

Faith in God enables us to stand firm, year after year, continuing to do the job God gives us, regardless of circumstances. We may see part of God's plan fulfilled during our lifetime, but we may have to accept, by faith, that God's plan will prevail, while we "stand our ground" in faith, just as the saints in the Bible did!

"He who stands firm to the end will be saved." Mark 13:13 (NIV)

"The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations."
Psalm 34:10,11 (NIV)

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. people who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:1,2,13-16 (NIV)

--Posted by Mama O