He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3
What does it mean to be blessed? How does it feel to be withered? Why would Jesus call forward the man with a withered hand, in the midst of a crowd? What could this possibly mean? These are areas that we’ve looked at in the previous journal.
I had a B-grade in Agricultural Science – GCSE level, hence I know that amongst the few nutrients a plant needs not to wither, is sunlight and water; and if the plant be withered, exposure to sunlight and watering it, revives and causes it to begin to open up, stretch out, spread out, blossom and consequently bear fruit. No wonder the scripture tells us that a blessed man is like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing its fruits in season.
Positioning! This has got to do with where you’re at. You’ve got to be by the streams of water, the river of life. The man
with the withered hand was at the temple where Jesus, the sun of righteousness and living water was. Friend, let me ask you, are you connected? Are you planted? Jesus said:
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2
When things become withered they begin to contract and dwindle rather than flourish and vegetate; instead of moving, they become stagnant. Jesus in his omniscience knows this and therefore commands this man to stretch forth his hand! In essence, he was saying: begin to extend, increase, prosper; I release you to skip about, you’re no longer limited, I am healing you, I am restoring order, I am blessing the works of your hands, stretch forth your hand!
The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree; He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12
Friend, it is not God’s will for you to have withered reputation, relationship, academics, career, business, family and finances. No! And so I command everything withered in your life to blossom, any area of your life that is closed, to open up, stretch forth, go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. Friend, you will prosper, increase and succeed in Jesus Name, Amen!
Related journal:
Blessed!