His Majesty

cedars on the shores of Jordon Pond
Acadia National Park, Maine
image courtesy of istock photos

When I first saw the cedar trees on the edge of Jordon Pond in Acadia National Park, I was awestruck.  "How majestic they are", I thought. We did the 3 mile loop hike around the pond that day.  It was a beautiful summer day in 2004.  The girls were 10 and 5. It was our first time camping in Maine on Desert Island where the park is located. I've always loved cedar trees and as we hiked alongside them, I just loved seeing the height of them, and how their roots were entwined.  I marveled at all our Creator has done for us to enjoy.

Fast forward to 16 years later.  I'm sitting in my living room with my Bible on a grey late January day in eastern New York.  Husband and oldest girl are still sleeping as it's early Sunday morning.  Youngest is in her dorm up in NH. All is quiet here. I'm reflecting on my word of the year:  Thrive.  I'm also meditating on the following Scripture:

I read the entire Psalm.

But I began to focus on the bit about the cedar and palm trees.

What I know about cedars: they live for a very long time.  They are viewed as majestic and stable. They are the national emblem in Lebanon.  They grow tall and need lots of water. The northern white cedar grows in my beloved Adirondack mountains.

What I know about palm trees:  they don't grow here in NY.  The fruit of the palms found in the Bible were dates.  Coconuts also grow on palm trees.  Both fruits are very good for your health. They grow in hot climates like the tropics or the Mediterranean. 

But although I don't know much about either tree, I do know that the Scripture that David wrote above, was part of Psalm 92 and scholars believe it is a "song of the Sabbath".  Some Jewish people believe Adam wrote this, but the psalm talks about evildoers and at the point when the Jews believe Adam wrote this (for the first Sabbath) there WAS no sin yet in the world.  So most commentators believe it is a song written by David.

And I know that the verses that jumped out at me were the ones about righteous people flourishing (thriving!) like a palm tree...that we will grow like a cedar!

We need to be praising God upon waking every morning.  Thanking Him for Who He is and what He has blessed us with......giving Him Glory!

And remember that as we face each day...whether it's an easy one or a more mundane one or a difficult one...that we have Him to fight our enemies. 

and that as we grow in Him, and become more intimate with Him, we will continue to flourish and bear fruit into our old age....like the palm and cedar trees.

His majesty is all around us!! 


May we see it....and thrive