That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

“Why do trees grow up?” A simple question from my four-year-old grandson. He meant in a literal sense. My answer to him was “They are reaching for the sun so they can grow big and strong.”

But oh, the spiritual truth woven into this innocent conversation.

Research for the novel I’m writing has taken me into the study of trees. The more I learn, the more I’m amazed at how perfectly designed trees are to be used by God. They teach us an infinite number of truths about the character of God and the character of man. Trees are important to God, and we should take more time to study their ways. 

One thing I’ve learned in my study and observations is that the trees who reach for the sun are the ones who thrive the most. They are taller and stronger, better able to withstand the storms, while at the same time offering shade and shelter to both man and animal.

Humans aren’t trees. Too much time in the sun for us can lead to painful burns and damage to our skin. But we have a different Son to grow toward—one that turns us into “mighty oaks” able to withstand storms and offer shelter.

The struggle to live

Trees that don’t receive enough light from the sun struggle to survive. They become bent and misshapen. Because they have no height, they are an easy meal for deer and other wildlife who will nibble away at their leaves.

Humans experience the same perils when we become tangled in sin. Our sins block the Son’s light. We start to bend ourselves toward other things around us, looking to fill our need. But just like trees weren’t made to survive without sunlight, mankind wasn’t created to survive without the Son’s light.

When we hide ourselves from the Son or allow such vines as sin, complacency, pride, or fear take over, we are destined to live weak and shallow lives. Lives easily broken by the storms and with nothing beneficial to offer those around us.

The chance to thrive

But unlike trees, it is never too late for us to become a mighty oak.

The verse from Isaiah above is part of the much greater passage that gives us the reason why our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came to us on earth.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ² To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, ³ To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1 – 3 NKJV

I love the image of prison doors flying open and people who’ve been living in darkness stepping into a glorious light. 

The joy of freedom

Even when illness or bad weather confine us indoors for a few days, we long for the moment when we can “get fresh air and sunshine.”  We look for the sun, turning our faces toward it to feel its warmth against our skin. Our bodies respond both physically and spiritually with relief and fresh energy. 

It is the same when Jesus releases us from prisons that bind us. We should turn immediately to the Son-light.  When we do, we will be transformed into the mighty oaks and trees of righteousness who forever reach for the Son.