‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree’ (Psalm 92:12 NIV)

Here are lastly a few more characteristics of the palm tree. I hope these few thoughts have helped you to realise even more that ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness’ (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). I pray that it will empower you to experience a victorious living even through the toughest raging storms.

So, let’s conclude in looking at a further three characteristics of a palm tree:

• The palm tree cannot be grafted – professional gardeners say that to graft a palm tree is to kill it. Well, for us to try to be grafted into the world is to kill the testimony and the influence of the proclamation of the TRUTH. Let’s be aware of the power of influence entrusted to us and let’s abide in Christ alone: ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5 NIV).

• The palm tree does not burn like ordinary wood – remember the story in Daniel 3 of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. God can deliver us from trial, but He can also miraculously sustain and strengthen us through trial. Because they were totally submitted to the power and will of God they experienced a remarkable breakthrough. Thank you, God, for your promises that, if we stand on, will be manifested in and through our lives. Jesus told us: ‘In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NKJV). So, stand on God’s promise: ‘when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God’ (Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV).

• The Palm tree speaks of triumph – the palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. Just one week before Jesus’ death and resurrection, the people of Jerusalem greeted Him as a triumphant Jesus, a tradition now known and celebrated as Palm Sunday, the week before Easter. Well, our King is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Prince of peace, eternal God and all victorious, having rose from the grave triumphant over hell, the grave and death. So that we can too experience victory even in these very challenging times.

We find ourselves in this unprecedented storm, affecting not just the UK in many ways but the world. Firstly, we must remember that a storm is temporary – it will pass, hence why we should never make permanent decisions in a temporary situation. Therefore, we still can ‘flourish like a palm tree’. As the palm tree is designed to withstand severe tropical storms, we may feel it bend but it will not break, and we will rise up stronger than ever before. As you reflect on the events of your life, remember, the storms you have encountered have only made you stronger. For you are now wiser, more alive, and you are destined for victory. Your brightest days are right before you! Always remember that with God on your side, you will flourish like a palm tree!

So, today let’s be ‘rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness’ (Colossians 2:7 NIV) The secret to a flourishing life is our relationship with Jesus. In Him we find and draw the resources to flourish like the palm tree! Never ever forget God’s word for you today: ‘YOU SHALL FLOURISH LIKE A PALM TREE!’