WE ARE TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

by Tammy Phillips
October 5, 2020

“That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3 KJV)

The trees of fall are all adorned in their radiant red, fiery orange and glorious golden colors, illustriously reflecting the amazing glory of their Creator.  It is imperative for us to see ourselves as God sees us.  When then Lord first revealed to me that we were called trees of righteousness, I promptly and proudly responded, “Not me!”  I was like Peter when he told the Lord in John 13, “You shall NEVER wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8 NKJV).  At that time, I thought I had too much sin and baggage to be a mighty tree in the kingdom of God.  He graciously showed me differently.

What we, have to realize is that there were words that preceded and proceeded “the tree of righteousness” phrase in Isaiah 61:3. The preceding words of Isaiah 61;1-3 tell us the good news of the salvation of the Lord. He came to:  bring good news to the impoverished; heal the brokenhearted; proclaim liberty to the captives; open the prison doors to the bound; proclaim the favored year of the Lord to the oppressed; comfort and console all who mourn;  give beauty (a tiara or crown) for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…

 “That they may be called trees of righteousness…”

We are not a righteous tree because of anything we did.  It is all about what Jesus did for us when he was persecuted, put to death on the cross, and rose from the dead.  He paid the price for our wrongs and reconciled us to God.  Our Father sees us and calls us trees of righteousness because of Jesus. The word “call” is important.  It is Hebrew word is qara’, meaning, to cry out with the idea of accosting someone; proclaim; summon; invite; commission; appoint;  be called out; be chosen.  Do you get the idea?  God is roaring, “Jesus did all this so that YOU can be called trees of righteousness! It is how I see you.” 

The proceeding words disclose the how and why. We are “the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” He calls us, chooses us and plants us. We are his plantation.  The Hebrew word for planting is a derivative of the word nata’ which means to plant, to place, fasten, establish, and to set anything upright, so that it is fixed in the ground.  We are planted that he may be glorified. We reflect His glory. He sees the righteousness, beauty and strength of His son in us and it glorifies Father God.

I enCOURAGE you to accept all of the finished work and good news of Jesus.  Be healed. Be whole.  Be complete.  Be free. Be loosed. Be favored. Be comforted. Be consoled. Be crowned. Be beautiful. Be joyful. Be clothed in praise.  Arise, throw your shoulders back and declare the word of God over your life.  Repeat: “I am a tree of righteousness!  I am firmly planted. I am resolute!”

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. (Psalm 149:4 KJV)