If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. Ecclesiastes 11:3
Psalm 1:3, talking about the blessed man says, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Never has it ceased to amaze me how religion deals with blessed men, “planted trees”, that have fallen in a storm.
The wise man said if a “tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” Religious Zealots spend more time evaluating, discussing, and fussing about the fall of the tree than what can be done with it. I can hear them in their Pharisaical voices ask and wonder, how and what was the nature of the storm or crisis. How long did it take for the winds bring the tree down? What kind of chaos ensued during the fall? Was there collateral damage?
Sadly enough, the sound of judgmental voices and finger pointing still echo through the halls of Christendom today, oozing from the pores of the oppressing spirit of the self-righteous. Has anyone considered if a tree never falls, the carpenter would not have wood? Maybe we should take the fallen blessed men/trees to the Carpenter’s shop and see just how much value is in the wood.
Does not Paul declare to the church at Galatia in Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” I dare say the finished product brings more from the fallen tree than one still standing. Why? The value lies in the hands of the Carpenter.
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to realize the power of restoration.
