Psalm 92:6-7 says:
6 A man in his rude and uncultivated state knows not, neither does a [self-confident] fool understand this: 7 That though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to be destroyed forever.
The word "flourish" here is the Hebrew word "tsuwts", which means: to shine, to sparkle, to blossom. Notice that even though the evildoers WILL shine and sparkle LIKE the light, they do not have the light and WILL see destruction! The righteous are described in verses 12-15:
12 The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. 13 Planted in the house of the LORD, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the]verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. 15 [They are living memorials] to show that the LORD is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Notice that the righteous (those in right standing with God) also flourish, but this "flourish" is the Hebrew word "parach", which means; to bud, to sprout, to shoot, to break out, to spread, to grow, to fly. There is a very big difference between grass and the stately palm trees or cedars of Lebanon! Here are some pictures of some of these trees!
Above and below are some "stately palm trees" in Israel!
Above and below are "cedars of Lebanon"!
What would YOU rather look like, grass or one of these? These verses also say something about old age for a righteous person. This says that we will be fruitful in our old age! The KJV says "fat and flourishing", while the Amplified Bible says "full of sap (spiritual vitality) and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. I think I prefer the Amplified Bible! How about you! We are to be living memorials, showing HIS glory to the world!
Luke 13:18-19:
18 This led Him to say, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the wild birds found shelter and roosted and nested in its branches.
Notice that the seed MUST BE planted and it must be in each person's own garden! You cannot succeed on MY seed, and I can't succeed on yours, either! BUT, just one small seed will produce an abundance of good and Godly things in our lives! Keep planting that seed!
Zephaniah, who prophesied during the reign of good king Josiah, speaks of the the time in which he was ministering AND the time in which we live! Zephaniah 1-3 make it abundantly clear who belongs in the land! It is also abundantly clear what God thinks of the other nations who try to claim God's land! Zephaniah 2:7a says:
7a The seacoast shall belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall pasture flocks upon it.
He has much more to say to those who would come against the nation of Israel! Read it and see our times! I would NOT want to be in their shoes! Hallelujah for the Word of God!
Shalom in Him!
