“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 through His prophet described His activity with Israel, expressing warning as well as hope of restoration. His interaction with His people was always purposeful, achieving His ends as well as showcasing His attributes. The aim in His messages was that all would recognize His divine majesty and omniscient power, and know He is the LORD.
Not only has God created all things, but He is intimately involved in their growth and livelihood. While the prophet’s message is analogous for His people Israel, the illustration of choosing a sprig from a perch known only to His Highness and planting it to bear fruit beckons all to robust living. The selecting, establishing, and filling with holy purpose are His way and gift. As His people grow noble and spiritually wise and productive, many will be drawn to rest in His shade of grace.
Where do we fit in to this picture? From where did He pluck us to be His child? Where has He planted us as His tree in a dark world forest- at home, work, or community- to stand for Him? How is He providing, through teaching or encouragement of friends or specific opportunity, for us to flourish and spread our branches of service and love?
How hearty have we grown? What nourishment do we daily take to remain strong in Him? What about our lives gives evidence to His life and causes others to know He is Lord, of us and of the world? The more we entrust to Him our every twig to take and strengthen and use as He wills, the wider will be His reach through us, and the more He’ll be magnified and adored.
“This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!” ~Maltbie Babcock (1901)
Lord, I entrust to You every twig of ability, desire, and energy to become a spreading branch of grace and love that magnifies Your name and saving power.
As the rain and snow 