Psalm 1:3b
The Christian’s Fruitfulness and Preservation
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not whither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3 KJV
Why does any gardener plant any tree? He plants it for His pleasure ultimately, but that pleasure comes through its fruitfulness. God has created mankind, for His pleasure (Rev. 4:11) and has redeemed sinners specifically so that, “we should be to the praise of his glory…” (Eph. 1:12). How else may we do this but by bringing forth good fruit? We are to bring forth, “fruit unto God” (Rom. 7:5), “fruit unto holiness” (Rom. 6:22), “much fruit” (John 15:8), and “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23). We are to, “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb 13:15). We are to bring forth these fruits through the various seasons of life. In temptation bring forth purity, in affliction bring forth joy, in ministry bring forth faithfulness and so on.
Notice however that the blessed man of Psalm 1 isn’t commanded to bring forth fruit, instead he is described as bringing it forth in due season. It is something he just does. Bringing forth righteous fruit is certainly the responsibility of the Christian but it is also, paradoxically, the result or effect of God’s saving work in our hearts. Those who are saved are commanded to bring forth fruit, but, at the same time, those who are saved will bring forth fruit. It is an inevitable result of being made a new creature in Christ. It’s the tree bringing forth the fruit, but it is also the water and nutrients working in the tree bringing forth the fruit. It is you but it is God in you. Paul said, “I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1Cor. 15:10). And again, he said, “…nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me;” (Gal. 2:20). In Philippians 2:12 Paul tells us to, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”, but in the next verse he explains, “…it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Again, Paul said, “…I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Col. 1:29) What an encouragement for Christians to seek fruitfulness knowing that through God they can truly have it!
Now take note of the last two phrases of the verse. “His leaf also shall not whither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” These two phrases speak of the blessed man’s perseverance or rather preservation. When it says his leaf shall not whither it means that his leaf will not wither so as to wilt, die and fall away. In the hard winter or dry months of life his leaf remains green like the evergreen tree. I believe that leaf pictures the faith or inward spiritual life of the Christian. Without leaves trees can’t make sap or fruit or continue thriving. If they lose all their leaves they will eventually die. God will not lose one of his trees so he will not suffer all our leaves to be lost. Satan desires to sift us as wheat but Jesus is praying for us that our faith fail not (Luke 22:31-32). All of Jesus prayers are answered by the way. He upholds us (Psa. 68:8), and is able to keep us from falling away fully or finally (Jude 24).
Lastly, whatever the blessed man does prospers. This should be understood in light of the tree analogy being used. This isn’t a health and wealth prosperity gospel being taught here. The word ‘prosper’ here means to carry through to maturity or bring to full fruition. This is speaking of his spiritual fruitfulness. His fruit to God will be carried through to maturity because his leaves will not whither in the process. In other words, he will not be a failed project for his Gardener! How? Not because he is great or strong but because, “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). Encourage yourself in this today and be fruitful!