Like a Flourishing Olive Tree

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Like a Flourishing Olive Tree

Date: Dec. 17, 2015

Passage

Psalm 52:1-9 (ESV)

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”

1   Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
    The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
2   Your tongue plots destruction,
    like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
3   You love evil more than good,
    and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
4   You love all words that devour,
    O deceitful tongue.
5   But God will break you down forever;
    he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
    he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6   The righteous shall see and fear,
    and shall laugh at him, saying,
7   “See the man who would not make
    God his refuge,
  but trusted in the abundance of his riches
    and sought refuge in his own destruction!”
8   But I am like a green olive tree
    in the house of God.
  I trust in the steadfast love of God
    forever and ever.
9   I will thank you forever,
    because you have done it.
  I will wait for your name, for it is good,
    in the presence of the godly.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 52:8

  But I am like a green olive tree
    in the house of God.
  I trust in the steadfast love of God
    forever and ever.

First, the evil will be uprooted from the land (1-7). Doeg (1 Sam 22:6-23) reported David's whereabouts to king Saul who was bloodthirsty to kill David with prize money. Doeg seemed to prosper by destroying others with his harmful and deceitful word. But David did not envy him who loved evil. For such men are disgraces in the eyes of God. God will surely uproot him from the land of the living. People will say, "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold."

First, a flourishing olive tree (8-19). David was hunted down by Saul like a criminal. His life was at risk all the time. He looked very pathetic. But David was not discouraged by his situation but lived victoriously. He felt he was like an olive tree (symbol of victory and salvation) flourishing in the house of God, for he trusted in God's unfailing love forever and ever. When he had hope in God's name, he could praise God in the midst of troubles.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, I will trust in you. Make me like a flourishing olive tree.

One Word: Like a flourishing olive tree!

Repent of Compromise with the World

Revelation 2:12-29

Key Verse: 2:16

Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

Today's Question

What are the reasons for the second commandment?

See answer and references