The Shade of a Thonbush

karen_trustlord

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July 4, 2006
The Shade of a Thonbush




Judges 9:8-15
One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'
"But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Next, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'
"But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'
"But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'
The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

Look at the promise of the thornbush, the promise of refuge in it's shade. Does a thornbush provide refuge and shade?

Isn't it always the case that trusting in a lie, or the shade of a thornbush puts one in danger of being consumed by a fire?

Look what this fire that comes out of the thornbush consumes -- the cedars of Lebanon. Placing trust in something other than the Lord and His laws always causes some kind of destruction.

It's interesting that the olive, fig and vine were also approached to be king. These trees were bearing the fruit of the Lord; examples of fruit that comes from trusting the Lord and His laws -- oil, food, wine.

Will you put your complete trust and confidence in the Lord? And allow him to plant you by His living waters? (Jeremiah 17:8)

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John 8:12, 16:13, 14:6 Thank You Lord that Jesus is the light of the world. Let Your Spirit of Truth guide into all truth. Please expose any lies or falsehoods that we may be trusting in. Help us each place our complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ (the way, truth & life) as our savior. Thank You Lord that the trees of the LORD are well watered and tended to.

Psalm 104:13-16
He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth:

wine that gladdens the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine,
and bread that sustains his heart.

The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

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