Are We Growing or just Getting Older?
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Luke 2:52.
Children and adolescents grow in stature and knowledge and it is sometimes amazing how fast they grow. In many cases they even surpass their own parents in both information and height. But, there is a time in which physical growth stops and age begins to leave signs of the passing of the years.
The Holy Scriptures tell us that we should grow until we reach the stature of Jesus Christ which means that it is expected for us to grow in wisdom and in favour with God and man.
In order to grow in wisdom we need to have the fear of God in our heart, since it is written: “The fear of the Lord [is] the beginning of wisdom.” Psalm 11:10. In order to have the fear of the Lord, we need to have a revelation of His glory, as Isaiah did. The prophet saw the Lord on His throne surrounded by thousands of angels, and he exclaimed: “Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5) This revelation of God?s glory showed the prophet his own condition. He realized he was not any better than any of his fellowmen. This humiliation was necessary so that the prophet could fulfil his mission. Only thus can man become totally dependent on God and grow in wisdom and favour.
Surely we cannot expect to have a vision like Isaiah, Ezekiel or Paul in order to surrender to God’s will; but the Scriptures are a revelation of His holiness and glory. And when studied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we shall feel so little and miserable as did the prophets in the presence of the Lord and want to depend on Him at all times so that we do not go astray.
All living creatures grow; three elements are indispensable for their growth: light, water and food. To grow spiritually we also need these three elements and in Jesus we find all we need: He is the Light of the world, the living Water and the Bread of Life.
In Psalm 92:12-15, we read: “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to show that the Lord [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him.”
The Holy Scriptures tell us that there is not even one that is righteous, but in Genesis 15:6 it is spoken of a righteous man: “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Abraham became righteous by faith. He believed not only that God exists, but in His word and in His promises, and thus he obeyed. All who trust in God’s word like Abraham did, and become His servants are righteous in God’s eyes. His promise to them is: “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”
The palm tree is one of the most beautiful trees; it grows heavenwards and can reach a very great height. Palm trees bear delicious fruits: coconuts and dates. The thirsty wanderer in the desert rejoices when he sees a palm tree, because it is a sign that there is an oasis nearby where he can quench his thirst and obtain rest.
“The palm tree, beaten by the scorching sun and the fierce sandstorm, stands green and flourishing and fruitful in the midst of the desert. Its roots are fed by living springs. Its crown of verdure is seen afar over the parched, desolate plain; and the traveller, ready to die, urges his failing steps to the cool shade and the life-giving water.” {Ed 116.2}
“See the weary traveller toiling over the hot sand of the desert, with no shelter to protect him from the rays of the tropical sun. His water supply fails, and he has nothing with which to slake his burning thirst. His tongue becomes swollen; he staggers like a drunken man. Visions of home and friends pass before his mind as he believes himself ready to perish. Suddenly he sees in the distance, rising out of the dreary sandy waste, a palm tree, green and flourishing. Hope quickens his pulses; he presses on, knowing that that which gives vigour and freshness to the palm tree will cool his fevered blood and give him renewed life.” {HP 240.2}
“The tree of the desert is a symbol of what God means the life of His children in this world to be. They are to guide weary souls, full of unrest, and ready to perish in the desert of sin, to the living water. They are to point their fellow men to Him, who gives the invitation, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” John 7:37.” {Ed 116.2}
This is exactly what it means that the righteous will grow like a palm tree. What a privilege to be so useful!
“The righteous’ shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” The cedars of Lebanon are well-known for the quality of their wood. This noble wood was used for the construction of God’s temple in Jerusalem and the King’s palace.
In Ezekiel 17:3, we read: “A great eagle with great wings, long-winged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffic?He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field.” It is very interesting the work birds can do. We are all twigs or seeds that have been brought from different areas and have been planted in the courtyard of God’s temple. Under His loving care, watered with His Spirit we shall reach a full growth and bear fruit.
“They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to show that the Lord [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him.”
No matter how old we are or how many years we have been in God?s church, we can and should still grow. Among the most fascinating trees regarding growth are the evergreens. Every spring there is a growth of up to ten centimetres on each branch that can be quite easily distinguished since its colour is light green and differs from the very dark colour of the rest of the tree. This shows its growth for the year. In summer, one can see no difference any more.
Our growth is internal but it will also be revealed outside, in our appearance, in our words, in our attitude, in our goals.
What is the purpose of this growth? So that we may be able to show that the Lord is upright, firm like a rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him. We are called to vindicate the name of the Lord before the whole universe by accepting the robe of Christ’s righteousness to be able to keep His commandments.
May the Lord help us that we may grow not only in age, but like Jesus, in wisdom and favour with God and man and that like the apostle Paul we may also say: – “but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.
AMEN.
Teresa Corti