Still Here

“oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD” Isaiah 61:3

I recall a friend’s rap lyric: “We’re posted on your block like trees.” Well, that’s trees for you. A pretty good simile if you ask me: trees stay where they are. God likens his people to trees, and sturdy ones at that: “oaks of righteousness.” There is something about godliness that steadies a person, that plants them where they are and keeps them there.

This image is metaphorical, of course. Righteousness is not literally staying where we are (stationariness is next to godliness?). In our modern times, we are more mobile than ever, and it is very Christian to use the advances of industry and technology to better our lives. We may even follow great opportunities when God opens doors. Being oaks of righteousness isn’t about staying put in life. It’s about being steadfast in God’s truth, unmoved by sin, and restful in Christ.

Being steadfast in this way means that people may come back into our lives years later and find that we’re still here, trusting in Jesus. We are unmoved. By God’s grace, we are where we want to be, resting in our Lord’s love and obeying his marvelous word.