In the desert it is easy to identify where rivers or streams are present. When driving through these barren lands, often times the only thing that is visible to the horizon is brown parched grass, dirt, rocks, and weeds on the verge of dying. Often pastures have been grazed to nubs just above the ground by cattle that have gleaned all they can from among the cactus and mesquite bushes. It can appear as though the vegetation that once existed here will never return. But in the midst of all of the harshness of the desert landscape, if you look to the valley, you will often find the evidence of a river or stream. It is clearly marked because it is a ribbon of life in the midst of a valley of death.

The trees that have been planted by the side of a river often have thick trunks and are thriving with life and vitality, even when the river is in the midst of a barren desert; Even through the harshest years of drought, while everything around them is void of life, these trees are full of leaves that do not wilt or fade. In the autumn, while all in the desert is brown and desolate, these trees that are planted by the river of water are full of vibrant colors of gold and auburn.

In Psalm 1 the psalmist draws a comparison between a sinner and one who sets his affections on things above. The sinner’s life is guided every day by the counsel of the ungodly. He neither reverences any man as his pastor, nor the Word of God, but he often asks for guidance from those

who are around him: his coworkers or boss, the waitress at the restaurant, his family members, or a person who is a so called subject matter expert. The advice received from such counselors is never the sort that leads to more Godliness, but is that which will always point the troubled soul toward the world, leaving him still void of life. Truly these counselors are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. Any soul that lives in the flesh is like the parched desert plant that shows no signs of life and vitality, and does not have the Water of Life in him (Jn 4:7-14; Ro 6:23; Is 12:2-3). No soul can inherit the kingdom of God, life eternal, if they are not planted by the river of water, which provides Life.

But the soul that delights in the law of the Lord and meditates day and night upon the Word of God, he shall be like the tree that is planted by a river of water. This soul may be surrounded by souls that are parched and have no life; but as the tree planted by the river, he or she will be strong, flourishing, and full of life. Because this soul is planted in humble submission to the LORD (by the river) and does not walk in sinful ways, this soul will bring forth fruit in his season (Ps 1:3; Jn 12:24-25). This soul’s leaf will not wither even when found in the desert. This soul will be full of spiritual life, as a strong oak by a riverbank. Whether Jesus comes for the Church or if this soul goes the way of all flesh, they will pass from life to eternal life. Whatever he does according to the will of the LORD, it will prosper.