But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law he meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:2&3 ESV
The story is told of a 90-year-old woman, who after many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of a nursing home, was finally being moved to her tiny new room. “I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old presented with a new puppy. The attendant said, “But you haven’t seen the room yet… just wait.” The woman relied, “I don’t have to see it because I already decided to love it.”
This passage in Psalm 1 is often linked to John 15:5 in which Jesus says. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. Because I share an intimate relationship with Jesus that nourishes my inner life—a life that is fed and refreshed, vigorous, productive and prosperous because its life-giving source is God Himself, my life will be characterized bygrowth and my heart will be at rest.
Here is an acrostic I created a few years ago to capture the concept of GROWTH:
Greeting–Welcome all kinds of trials and temptationsas friends! James 1:2 PHILLIPS
Risky–No matter how precarious the risk—God is my rock and His right hand upholds me! Psalm 18:31&35 ESV
Opportunities–Choose to accept opportunities to do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:10 ESV
With a–Remember Jesus is alongside me, He is “together with” me.
Trusting–Trust God and acknowledge Him, and He will make my paths straight. Proverbs 3:5&6 ESV
Heart–Treasure God’s Word in my heart, so I do not knowingly sin against Him. Psalm 119:11 ESV
Growth is inevitable because I already decided to trust Him and He can turn a desert into a garden!