Even the Trees

“Thus says the Lord God: ‘I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.’” Ezekiel 17:22-24

“The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.” 1 Samuel 2:7

“It is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.” Psalm 75:7

“He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Daniel 2:21

“He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate.” Luke 1:52

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

God’s infinite, eternal sovereignty is made known in the course of history and nations, angels and men, and even in the trees. His description of the minute is swallowed in the magnificent. Just as He plants and nurtures and makes flourish trees on earth so that all will acknowledge He is Lord, so He raises up and brings low man’s estate to humble us before His unending reign. All things serve Him, the Creator and sustainer. (Psalm 119:91; Hebrews 1:2-3)

It is easy to separate what we perceive as broad and limitless from our minutiae day to day. But God handles everything both large and small for His purposes. We vaunt our importance thinking ourselves grand and influential when the Lord could lop us off or down at any moment. We value wealth and worldly position to our chagrin, while God raises the humble and weak to make them wise. Even the trees are our teachers, would we watch, and listen.

Where have I been strutting around in self-importance, and therefore diminishing others in word or attitude? What might I learn of humility, cooperation, or reverence from acknowledging my smallness in God’s universe? What facet of my ego can I set aside today to learn from the King of kings?

Lord, teach me to remain wholly at Your service, for your ends and glory.