The Fruit of the Righteous is a tree of Life


“Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.” - Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I’ve been laying in my hammock on my porch this lovely Saturday morning, listening to the leaves rustle in the wind and give just enough umph to make my wind chimes ring a note or two. The crepe Myrtle’s are blooming white snowballs, and birds gathered in her limbs singing their song bouncing branch to branch. 

I’ve been reading a book called “The God of the Garden” and continuing to read Proverbs in my Bible Recap journey to read the entire Bible in a year. My porch feels like a paradise; an Eden tucked under the dogwood and crepe Myrtle and birds and …okay, even the dang bugs. As I swing in my hammock reading the wisdom of God in Proverbs juxtaposing righteousness and wickedness I’m drawn to the life it’s giving me. 

As I watch the flowery white blooms fall like snow to the ground and on my car! I’m pondering what does it look like to produce righteousness? “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (Pr. 11:30) How am I giving life to those around me? Or as others may know it as “giving good energy or vibes.” 

A recap of Proverbs shows us: Those who work with their hands unto the Lord, walk in integrity, speak wholesomely, measuring justly, humbleness, takes counsel with himself and confers with God, generous in what is in their possession. 


Don’t these actions set us apart? Don’t people notice our differences from others who are in it for themselves? We aren’t ripping people off, dealing fairly. We aren’t saying perverted things, but building up leaving with them words that encourage and make them feel 100 feet tall. It makes us shine as the verse in Daniel describes. People are attracted to right living and if you’re ADHD attracted to shiny things! 


We don’t win souls through judgement and puffing up of ourselves. The Pharisees and Saducees missed that. Yes they did the right things, but it wasn’t in love and attractive ways. I think self-preservation took the lead in their lives. 


God, Father of lights of all kinds, of the sun, moon, stars, and of northern lights that glow all the colors, help us to love wisdom, and to live by it. To be great trees that produce a place of rest for people. Lord we set our eyes and feet to walk humbly with you. Lord we give our hands to do our work in our businesses and home and in Your church to Your glory with great strength and knowledge and grace that honors You. Jesus, We give our hearing and minds and heart to take counsel with ourselves and God to make right decisions, and think about doing good things. Jesus may my mouth say things that are helpful and build up. May it speak Your Word and Truth to others to bring them peace and a way out of destruction. To You be glory in all things, Jesus Amen. 


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