Psalm 1; John 15:5
Psalm 1 promises that the person who delights in the Law of the Lord is like a tree planted by streams of water. The imagery used to describe such people is that they are “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaves do not wither. Whatever they do, prospers” (v. 3). Psalm 1 is speaking figuratively. People who delight in the Law of God are not actual trees literally planted by streams of water. Rather, they are in some way deeply connected to God.
We would rightly think of Jesus as we consider this connection. For example, Jesus is the dwelling place of God in an even more dramatic and literal sense than the temple was for the Jewish people (John 1:14). Jesus was the Word (Logos) made flesh, and He came to fulfill the Law, not abolish it. Moreover, it is through Jesus and His sacrifice that we receive God’s forgiveness, rather than through material sacrifices made in a material temple. If we want to flourish, we need to have our roots grow deeply into Jesus, so to speak.
So, where should we be “planted” if we want to flourish in life? Where do we put down our spiritual roots, so to speak, if we want to be truly and intimately connected to God?
Jesus did not use the analogy of trees and roots to describe our relationship with Him. He did, however, employ a related agricultural image. In John 15, Jesus spoke of Himself as the vine, with us as the branches (15:5). He promised that if we abide in Him, that is, if we are deeply engaged with and connected to Him, we will bear much fruit. He might have just as well said, “If you are deeply rooted in Me, you will flourish.”
In John 15, Jesus indicated what we might do if we desire to abide in Him. In v. 7, He said, “If you abide in Me and my words abide in you . . . .” One way we abide in Jesus is by having His words live within us. We do this by reading, reflecting upon, memorizing, discussing, teaching, and obeying His teachings.
Jesus also said, “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love” (15:9-10). Jesus invites us to live in His love. We do this, in part, by keeping His commandments, by living as He taught us to live. But that’s not all. We make our home in Jesus’s love as we spend time with Him in prayer, share life with other “branches,” and remember regularly His loving sacrifice for us on the cross.
So, to employ the language of Psalm 1, one way we will be like trees planted by streams of water is by developing an intimate, growing relationship with Jesus. We allow His teachings to live within us and guide our lives. We allow His love to claim us, fill us, and embrace us. The more we live in the truth and love of Jesus, the more we will flourish, living fully and fruitfully. In other words, we take delight in the Living Word of God.
 
Reflection
As you think about your life, where are you “planted”?
What helps you to know Jesus better so that you may delight in Him?

11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
Happy Father’s Day. In today’s world, moms and dads often overlap in their parental roles. It wasn’t like that in the first century A.D. of the Roman world. Mothers and fathers had quite distinct roles. Mothers were to nurture young children. Fathers were responsible for their children's education, including their moral development as they got older. In fact, until 390 A.D., Roman law prohibited women from being their children's legal tutors. Whereas mothers were encouraged to treat their children gently, fathers assumed the roles of demanding coach and stern disciplinarian.
Sometimes, popular philosophers compared themselves to fathers to their students. In fact, some even chose not to have children of their own because they regarded their students as their children. As a “father,” the philosopher needed to be tough, even to the point of “reviling” his students to get them to change their ways.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Paul and Co. speak of themselves and their apostolic work using the simile of fatherhood, not unlike other philosophers of their day. But what Paul and his colleagues do with this simile is unique. For one thing, they are not just fathers in a generic sense. Rather, they are like a father who “deals with his own children” (2:11). This language is similar to v. 7, in which they portray themselves as “nursing mother cares for her children.” Whether in a motherly or a fatherly role, Paul and his associates felt a deeply personal bond with each of their spiritual “children.”
When acting as fathers to the Thessalonians, the apostolic team did not revile their converts as popular philosophers did. Instead, they were “encouraging, comforting and urging [them] to live lives worthy of God” (2:12). The three Greek verbs in this sentence – translated here as “encouraging, comforting, urging” – have roughly the same meaning in Greek. None suggests harsh speech or vigorous censure. Rather, all three verbs express supportive, empowering, and encouraging ways. Even when thinking of themselves in the role of father, the pastors to the Thessalonians have not abandoned their earlier posture of tender, motherly care.
What I read in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 reminds me of the book “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott. After graduating from Harvard Business School, Scott worked as an executive coach for several tech companies, including Dropbox, Twitter, Apple, and Google. She understands that managers are responsible for producing exceptional results. But she also insists that effective managers care for people personally. She writes, “It’s not enough to care only about people’s ability to perform a job. To have a good relationship, you have to be your whole self and care about each of the people who work for you as a human being. It’s not just business; it is personal, and deeply personal. I call this dimension ‘Care Personally.’” What we see in 1 Thessalonians, therefore, isn’t relevant only to church planters and pastors. It informs and encourages all of us to care for the people in our lives: our children, coworkers, and friends. Especially those whom we have the privilege of leading or managing.
I want to invite you to reflect upon the following questions. Do you care for those in your life in a personal way? Why or why not? How can you care for your children personally and still hold them accountable for what is required of them in life?
Take time to reflect on how you might imitate Paul's and his colleagues' examples by encouraging the people entrusted to your care in practical ways.
 
Pray
Gracious God, may I be a true source of encouragement and empowerment. If I need to give a word of correction at home, at work, in church, and in my neighborhood, may I do so with honesty and kindness. May I treat people with the same grace with which You have treated me. Amen.

“They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. 5David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals. When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.”
(2 Samuel 6:3-7)
In modern Chinese, the word niu (“ox” or “bull”) has come to mean something powerful, impressive, or exceptional. A soaring stock market is called a “bull market.” Someone who seems capable of solving every problem is called a “bull person.” And what would you call a particularly powerful vehicle? A “bull cart.”
It turns out that in the Old Testament, the ox likewise symbolized strength and power. The golden calf in Exodus and the ox-cart in this passage from Samuel reflect the same human tendency: our long-standing admiration for power.
It is therefore not surprising that although God had clearly instructed in Numbers 4:1–15 that the Ark of the Covenant was to be carried by the descendants of Kohath on their shoulders, David still allowed Abinadab’s sons to transport it on an ox-cart. After all, 1 Samuel 6 records how the Philistines used an ox-cart to return the Ark. I do not believe David acted out of a lack of love or reverence for God. Rather, perhaps his reasoning was something like this:
“If even our enemies used an ox-cart to transport the Ark of God, how could I possibly use something as primitive as human shoulders?”
David cared about appearances. He trusted his own judgment. He longed to offer God the very best presentation possible. Naturally, the most efficient and impressive means available at the time seemed to be the ox-cart. Much like how we may be tempted today to use AI to write sermons, complete assignments, or answer people’s questions. AI is incredibly powerful. It is, in a sense, the ultimate “bull cart.”
Yet this passage reminds us of something important: When people are searching for the most impressive method, God is searching for people after His own heart. When people are focused on accomplishing a task well, God is focused on shaping a person after His own heart.
As I reflected on this passage during my devotional time, I found myself praying:
“Lord, when I serve, remind me that my goal is not merely to do things well, avoid criticism, or keep from inconveniencing others. I want to do them for You.
The moment we who serve God begin using AI to replace prayer, meditation, reflection, and presence with people, we have begun placing the Ark of God on an ox-cart. We are no longer carrying it as Levites—bearing the honor, the privilege, and even the sweat that comes with the sacred responsibility of bringing God’s presence to His people.
I can hardly imagine a cart more powerful than AI. Yet in God’s eyes, human beings remain irreplaceable. The most precious things in life always carry a measure of holy foolishness. Once everything is subjected to excessive calculation—especially calculations of personal gain and loss—it loses much of its value. The exception is when our careful consideration is motivated by another person’s good rather than our own convenience.
We must be careful to distinguish between effectiveness and efficiency. Ministry must first ask the question of effectiveness, not efficiency. Effectiveness seeks the greatest good of the other person and may not count the cost. Efficiency seeks to balance input and output, constantly calculating what can be gained with the least effort expended. Lord, have mercy on me.”
May you and I come before God not offering Him the strongest cart, but a heart willing to carry the things that matter most. Amen.