I was recently reading Psalm 92:12 again. The Psalm tells us: ‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree’ (Psalm 92:12 NIV).

I strongly felt God saying these words; ‘You are like a palm tree in the storm of life; remember a storm is temporary and when it passes you are going to be stronger and will flourish more than ever before’. How beautiful it is that we can attribute these characteristics of the palm tree to us ALL as followers of Christ. I want to encourage you by unpacking some of these amazing characteristics and understand what it means to be like a PALM TREE, especially in a time of storm.

Here are some of its characteristics:

1. The palm tree is tall and straight – the tallest palm tree can grow up to 197 feet tall and it is, in fact, the national tree of Columbia.

God tells us: ‘I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight’ (Isaiah 45:2 NKJV). Praise God! Because of amazing grace, we too can walk boldly, tall and straight, now that our lives have been straightened through the power of the cross. And let’s stand tall in the full knowledge that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus as declared in Romans 8 (see Romans 8:37 NIV).

2. The palm tree’s life comes from within – the minerals and nutrients of most trees are found on the surface, just below the bark, so when you cut them, they die. But not the palm tree: its life comes from within, so it flourishes even under the fiercest of storms. Paul tells us ‘we have this treasure in earthen vessels’ (2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV). How wonderful; that our life comes from within, through the power of the Holy Spirit to allow us to experience a victorious life in Christ, as Scripture reminds us: ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4 ESV).

3. The palm tree will bend, but will not break – how reassuring that when the storm ceases and the wind drops, the palm tree straightens up again and is actually stronger in the place where it bent. How good is that?! We were made to bend, but not to break.

So, let’s be encouraged by Paul’s words: ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair’ (2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV). Praise God that He promises to be with us always and He is our rock even in the middle of the strongest storm and wants all of us to come right back up stronger and to flourish like a palm tree.

Also, Isaiah 61:10 tells us to ‘greatly rejoice in the Lord… For He has … covered me with the robe of righteousness’ (Isaiah 61:10 NKJV). Psalm 92 speaks of the ‘righteous’ being compared to the palm tree (v. 12). So, as believers we are made and declared righteous in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Romans 5 reminds us that, ‘for as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous’ (v. 19 ESV). And that deserves a mighty shout of ‘PRAISE THE LORD’!

Until next time, where we’ll look together at more characteristics of the palm tree, be encouraged that though you may feel the heat of the storm, through it you’ll become stronger ready to face your tomorrow…