When Research and Scripture Collide: Psalm 1:2-3

Psalms 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Tonight as I was attending the second of five Hearing God seminars graciously granted to Evangel via Southlands Church in Steinbach Manitoba, these were the words God spoke to me.

This is a reminder, not just to me, but to any who will listen, that just as the Olive Tree that grows in rocky, barren places in Israel is green year-round and gives one to two harvests every year, so we, God's children, are offered the ability to be as that tree. The promise is only to those who choose to spend time in God's Word, meditating on it, and truly taking delight in it. For it is when we spend time mulling over the Scriptures that God through the Holy Spirit illuminates them to our hearts, making them applicable to our daily life choices. It is when we allow God's Word to speak to us that the Holy Spirit can be the person He is meant to be in our lives, which is to be a helper, teacher, and guide. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit's role and submit to His teaching and guidance that the Fruit of the Spirit is then able to become present in our lives. The Holy Spirit is represented by Oil, in addition to other metaphors used to describe Him and His ways.

In the ancient days, olive oil was used from baking and cooking to lighting lamps in homes and the Tabernacle. The Oil of the Spirit will be present in our lives when we allow the Word of God to penetrate.

Indeed, we shall be as the Olive Tree whose leaves - which bring healing and peace, shall not wither, and whose Fruit of the Spirit will always be in season. It doesn't matter whether what season we are in, weather plenty or drought, because this tree grows anywhere and actually prefers the ground of dry and broken places of our lives. It is there that the Holy Spirit can reach us, it is there we can put roots down into God's Word, and it is out of that place of barrenness and brokenness, of desert and thirst, that God can fill us to overflowing.

For more on the research I did about Olive Oil, click here:  http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/hub/Olive-Oil-Food-Fit-for-the-Bride-of-Christ