“to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 KJV
When you look at any tree, the most beautiful part is the branches. That’s where the leaves, the flowers, and ultimately the fruits are. The glory of any plant is in the branches. In John 15:5 KJV, it says “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” This is consistent with the prophecy of Isaiah in our opening verse.
We are trees of the righteousness bearing righteous fruits “being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11 NKJV. Because of righteous nature, we produce righteous works.
You cannot do right unless you have been made righteous. Right living is a result of righteousness in your spirit but some think right living produces righteousness but it can never. I used to think and live like that until the Lord Holy Ghost helped me.
Our opening scripture says”…that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 KJV. That He (the LORD) might be glorified. Apostle John says the same thing “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples.” John 15:8 NKJV. Bear much fruit and bring glory to our Master Jesus Christ.
What are these fruits of righteousness? Anything that comes out of you such as words, praise, your giving, souls you won to Christ that are consistent with the doctrine of Christ. They are not duties but rather things which flows from you by reason of your oneness with Christ, glory.
CONFESSION
I am a tree of righteousness, planted by the LORD, and I am flourishing in His presence. The beauty of my life—the fruits, the praise, the words, and the acts of righteousness—flows naturally from the righteous nature God has given me. I am a living testimony of God’s glory, a flourishing tree of righteousness, planted by the Lord.
DEEPER REFLECTION
Isaiah 60:21 CEV, John 15:1-8 NKJV
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Exodus 35-36, Mark 15
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Genesis 43, Matthew 16:15-28
