The image of being like a tree planted by water is used in two places in the Bible – Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:8. In both instances, this metaphor is meant to convey blessings, stability, and fruitfulness for the righteous person who delights in God’s law.
Psalm 1:3
Psalm 1 contrasts the righteous person with the wicked. Verse 3 says that the one who meditates on God’s law day and night and delights in it “is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Some key things to notice here:
- The righteous person is pictured as a tree, representing life, vitality, and stability.
- The tree is planted purposefully and intentionally next to abundant waters. It is strategically located to receive nourishment.
- Because it is so well watered, the tree bears fruit in season. It fulfills its purpose.
- Its leaves stay green and do not wither. The tree remains vibrant.
- In summary, the righteous person is blessed, fruitful, prosperous, full of life and vigor.
A tree planted by water has a continual source of life and nourishment. Its roots can spread out and draw up water even in drought. By delighting in God’s law, the righteous person is similarly well nourished and able to withstand difficulty. God’s truth sustains and strengthens believers to persevere and bear the fruit of righteous living.
Jeremiah 17:8
Jeremiah 17:8 expands on this tree metaphor: “He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Again, key concepts here are:
- Abundant water supply enabling the tree to thrive
- Unwithering leaves and steady fruit production, even in drought
- The tree remains strong and productive
In contrast to the blessed righteous person, Jeremiah goes on to describe the “sinful man” (v. 9) as having no access to life-giving waters. This man is headed for destruction and curse (v. 5-6). But the one who trusts in the Lord will be sustained and bear fruit even in difficult times.
Lessons from the Tree by the Water
What are some key lessons we can take from this tree metaphor?
- Nourishment – Just as the tree is planted next to continual water, we must sink our roots deeply into God’s Word and draw daily sustenance from it. We flourish when we delight in and meditate on God’s truth.
- Stability – With our roots anchored in God’s Word, our lives are stabilized even amidst storms and trials. We can weather adversity without being shaken.
- Fruitfulness – As we are nourished by the waters of God’s presence and truth, we bear fruit in our character and service. We fulfill our purpose in Christ.
- Perseverance – No matter the season, whether times of ease or drought, we keep drawing life from the Lord and bearing fruit for His glory.
- Focus – We must intentionally plant ourselves next to God’s nourishing waters. This happens as we orient our lives around Him.
- Blessing – The tree by ample water is thriving, vibrant, and prosperous. So the righteous life anchored in God is truly blessed.
The Superiority of God’s Wisdom
As Jeremiah 17 contrasts the tree by water with the parched “sinful man,” we see the stark superiority of building our lives on God’s wisdom rather than the world’s ways that lead to curse and destruction. Only by rooting ourselves in God and His truth can we find true blessing and fruitfulness. We must daily turn to the refreshing waters of His living Word.
Charles Spurgeon said of the tree by the waters: “It is enough for a tree that it is planted where it can take root. It is just so with us: if we are in Christ, that is enough. Whether we are rich or poor, whether we are sick or in good health, whether we have many friends or few, if we have a saving interest in Christ we have enough.” Blessed in Christ, we can drink deeply from His spiritual waters and bear the fruit that brings glory to God. As Spurgeon went on to say, “We cannot ask for more.”
A Daily Dependence on God’s Word
The Psalmist and Jeremiah teach us that being like a tree planted by water is a fitting picture of what the righteous life looks like. As trees depend daily on sun and water, we must depend daily on God’s Word for sustenance. Our roots must drive deep to draw upon the water of life. The tree does not fear drought because it has a continual supply – so too the righteous person need not fear adversity but can persevere through any season when nourished by God’s truth.
This image reminds us that the Christian life is not static. Our roots must keep spreading deeper. We cannot rest on past spiritual gains, but must continually reorient ourselves around Christ. Just as trees are always sending their roots out towards water, we must keep seeking God’s face daily. Only then can we, as Jeremiah says, “not cease to bear fruit.” Our lives will only remain fresh and green when they are rooted by the continual waters of God’s living Word.
Anchored Through Life’s Storms
The life anchored in God’s Word is ready to weather adversity and trial. The tree does not fear heat or drought because it has an unfailing water source. Its leaves stay green when all around is brown. What powerful imagery! The righteous person has roots that reach to a source beyond visible circumstances. Times of hardship and heat will come, but God’s presence sustains us through every season. Even when all else is withering, the tree drawing life from hidden waters remains vibrant.
We see this modeled in Jeremiah’s own life. Though he prophesied intense judgment for Jerusalem, he could say with confidence, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” While all others would soon wither under God’s discipline, Jeremiah’s leaves stayed green. His roots reached a stream that was not affected by coming drought. Because he trusted in God, he could bear the fruit of bold prophetic witness even in difficult days.
Challenges to Rootedness
While the tree planted by abundant water is an ideal image of righteous living, in reality our roots often struggle to go deep and draw from the right sources. What are some challenges that hinder our rootedness?
- Distraction – We get so absorbed in the visible that we fail to tap the unseen, spiritual depths.
- Self-reliance – We think we can make it on our own wisdom and strength apart from God’s sustaining truth.
- Doubt – We lack faith that God’s Word offers real nourishment for life’s storms.
- Short-term thinking – We fail to consider future challenges where established roots will be essential.
- Neglecting growth – We get spiritually stagnant, no longer reaching out and down to deepen roots.
- Worldly sources – We draw life from things that cannot truly sustain and end up with divided roots.
Let us examine our own lives. Are we planted by streams of living water and drawing deeply from God each day? Do we prioritize time in His Word and presence? Are we anchoring ourselves in truth to weather coming storms? Ask the Spirit to reveal any areas where roots need to go deeper in God’s all-sufficient waters.
Seeking the Life-Giving Stream
One great prayer is to ask God, “Cause me to know the way in which I should walk” (Psalm 143:8). Ask Him to guide you to the life-giving stream found in Christ. We can get easily dehydrated spiritually when we neglect time with God or depend too much on our own limited wisdom. But as we turn daily to Jesus, admitting our thirst and need for Him, He promises rivers of living water will flow from within us (John 7:37-39). Stay rooted and bear fruit!