The Bible often encourages us to be planted like a tree beside the river.

What are some of the advantages of a tree?

A tree has roots that are firmly planted in the soil. Some of these trees send their root deep within the soil in search of water.

The roots transport water and nutrients to the rest of the tree.

The trunk is the main body of the tree and from it, the branches sprout and then the leaves. The trunk is protected by the bark.

A tree that is planted by the river will always be green and flourishing. Its leaves will never be withered.

The leaves of the trees are designed to absorb the sunlight for photosynthesis to occur.

The leaves take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. It is important that trees coexist with humans because they complement each other.

Healthy trees will bear fruits.

Trees are homes to the birds.

Trees can live for many years. It is claimed that the oldest trees ever discovered are approximately 5000 years old.

Trees help to clean the air from pollutant gasses.

The trees move with the wind to help cool the temperature.

The forest filled with trees and shrubberies unites species of animals and other creatures in one area.

Trees help with healing. The Bible said that the trees in the new Jerusalem are for the healing of the nation.

To know the seasons of the year, look at the trees.

It is a known fact that planting fruit trees and other plants on your property will increase its value.

Read more on trees at wikipedia.org.

Lessons to emulate from the trees

Based on the above information about the trees, we learn some vital lessons of what God requires from us.

The Lord wants us to be firmly planted in the Word so that we can be nourished and grow spiritually.

We must abide in the Holy Spirit as He abides in us. The Holy Spirit is the life-giving water that will make us live a long and healthy life.

We must bear fruits. A tree that bears fruits will be pruned by God every now and then to produce more fruits.

A tree that does not bear fruits will be cut down.

Our lives as Christians must radiate purity in this world polluted with evil.

Your season in life changes like the trees. When you abide in the Lord you will know your season.

Our lives must exemplify unity.

No members of the body of Christ can live without the other, similar to the fact that the eyes cannot live without the hands or feet.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, your presence will add enrichment and value to the life of others.

Trees, in general, signify life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the tree of life who will sustain and preserve us in this world.

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2)