Verse 12: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;"
The Bible Knowledge Commentary says: "The wicked may flourish but like grass their prosperity is short-lived...On the other hand the righteous will flourish like...palm trees and cedars of Lebanon. These trees picture fruitfulness and vitality...under God's good hand...Those who are so blessed will proclaim the righteousness of the LORD, their Rock..."
The opening statement of verse 12 is "The righteous will flourish."
When we think of the word "flourish" we think of prosperous, thriving, flourishing, booming, successful, rising, doing well, making it, up and coming, zooming to the top, well-off, well-heeled, rolling in it, affluent, comfortable, comfortably off, set for life. Moneyed, living high off the hog, riding on the crest of a wave, buoyant, bullish.
Don Wyrtzen says: "Can you imagine 'winter without Christmas?' Yet that's exactly how C. S. Lewis described the state of the unsaved. The enemies of God have nothing to look forward to!"
John MacArthur says: "Spiritual growth progresses from knowing you are a Christian to knowing the Word of God to knowing God Himself. The way to know God is to spend your life focusing on His glory, thus learning to understand the fullness of His person. That focus becomes a magnet drawing you upward through the levels of maturity." (Truth For Today, 47)
He says further: "You will grow spiritually when you say to God, 'If Your Word says it, I will believe it; if Your Word promises it, I will claim it; and if Your Word commands it, I will obey it.'" (60)
This truly is the way you flourish!
Winston Churchill said: "The great thing is to get the true picture, whatever it is."
God is always in the business of blessing the obedient heart.
1 Chronicles 4:10: "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request" (NIV).
Ephesians 3:20: "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (NASB).
Verse 13: "planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God."
Back in verse 12 we learned "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree." Now here in verse 13: "They will flourish in the courts of our God."
1 Chronicles 16:11: "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always" (NIV).
1 Chronicles 16:31: "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns!'"
1 Chronicles 29:12: "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all" (NIV).
