Even the trees
Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Rom. 8:20-22 NLT)
Hello Saints,
At the beginning of last week we had a storm go through the city and a large limb of a Maple tree broke off and landed right beside my shed, without any damage …praise God! As I was out there cutting the limb up and removing the brush, what dawned on me was the frailty of life for all of creation. It is true that all creation is subject to the effects of human sin, and there is a lot more groaning going on as age has its effect on people, plants, and animals. Not necessarily literal age per se (of course for some of us there is groaning) but does not the whole world seem tired of being under the effects of human sin. As populations increase to 9 Billion in another decade, can the world handle it? What will another 1 Billion people on planet Earth require of God’s already decaying creation? Pretty heavy stuff when you think that almost 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul was already seeing the groaning creation, with an estimated world population of only 200 million. Now for you who have delivered a baby, you well know the pain involved in that process leading up to delivery, until full healing is restored. And that is the metaphor Paul uses to describe the pain the Earth is in, and the anticipation of when the pain is finally over. Who could ever imagine that pain lasting 6,000 years (since the beginning of creation) – lots of groaning for it to be over!!!
For those of us who are feeling the effects of a rapidly ageing creation (present body included), we also groan waiting for our release from the effects of the Fall and curse, and long for the new redemption body (Rom. 8:23). This is what we hope for and what we are eagerly expecting (Rom. 8:24-25)! Seeing this majestic Maple tree endure the violent winds of the storm, being broken and battered as it stood there helpless, I could not help but think of all those I know who are being battered by sickness and ailment, withstanding the violent winds of shifting cultures and ideologies, seeing their relationships and loved ones broken by sin and human injustices. The world is a nasty place. We may not think so surrounded by our comfortable North American luxuries, but for those who endure war, famine, political corruption and injustice, and decaying bodies ravaged by disease, there is a longing, a groaning for the promised new creation to be revealed, even come quickly!
As I was cutting up this broken tree, my mind ended up at the tree in the book of Revelation: “And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit,with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations” (Rev. 22:1-2 NLT). The tree would not be a threat of destruction, but a source of continual health for the redeemed of the Lord. Friends, have you ever thought about this? Why would we need a tree with healing leaves when there is no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, nor sickness (Rev. 21:4)? The Greek word John used for healing is actually the word “therapy” or medicine – it’s preventative. In Ezekiel’s description of the same vision John saw, he describes many trees lining the river: All kinds of fruit trees will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, without fail! For they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing (Ez. 47:12 NLT) Again, the Hebrew word Ezekiel uses means ‘medicine’ (Strongs 8644). Medicine that is preventative - the leaves of the trees will be the food we need to stay healthy, that’s why there will be no sickness (mind you…can glorified bodies get sick in the first place?). There is only one kind of tree in the new heaven and earth - a tree of life, that supplies only…you guessed it, life! There is no tree of the knowledge of good and evil; no more potential to sin or desire to be like God. We will know everything we need to know (1Cor. 13:12). This Heaven, New Jerusalem, New Earth we will live in will be quite the place! It appears that there will even be fishing there with lots of fish to catch (Ez. 47:9-10)!!!
Momentarily, even though it’s a literal lifetime, we endure the trials, the storms of life, and the brokenness of our world, eagerly waiting for the promised future glory that even the tress are longing for. And it’s all possible because of the redemption purchased for us by our loving Savior and Lord, reserved for the true children of God:
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are. (Rom. 8:18-19 NLT)
Be Blessed!
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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