I have had to learn to trust God. For many years I lived my life scrambling from one terror to the next. This behaviour was birthed from a horrible childhood. When I came to believe in Jesus, age 30, God had to systematically- line upon line, precept upon precept- show me how my learned conditioning brought further destruction whereas His Way ALWAYS FOUND solutions.
These days, I am much better. I still have to starve my internal saboteur that thrives on my unnecessary suffering as man-made suffering is the environment my mind was established in. I truly love God, and each day I pray that more of me will die so that I can love Him more.
One of the big turnabout Holy Scriptures that changed my Christian Walk is Hebrews 12 vs 6, “The LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
There is an incredible picture from Genesis 21 regarding faith that trusts God, especially in love as we experience God’s discipline that grows us into His Promises.
Contextually, Abraham has just undergone discipline from God. God informed Abraham to release Hagar and his son born from adultery, Ishmael. Abraham is heartbroken but recognizes God’s Authority AND in loving obedience does as God requires.
This is where the story picks up….
Rather than going into sulky-mode Abraham forges ahead holding onto the Promise of God to possess the land God said his offspring would get. Abraham negotiates a treaty with Abimelech whose servants had seized a well. Abraham regains the well, an incredible piece of property in drought stricken country. Abraham then proceeds to plant a tamarisk tree as a sign of the treaty, but also a testimony of his faith in God. The tamarisk, also known as the salt cedar, is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall.
TAMARISK TREE SYMBOLISM:
1) Hope and life– The evergreen nature of the tamarisk tree represents hope and life.
2) Strength and resilience– Known for its ability to thrive in harsh conditions.
3) Eternal life– After Abraham planted the tamarisk, he refers to God as “El Olam,” which means everlasting or eternal God.
‘Working out our salvation/sanctification with fear and trembling’, Phillipians 2 vs 12, is a daunting verse. God draws us into the reality that the push towards Holiness and purity is fought with trials as we die to fleshly/worldly desires and grow in Spirit desires.
Fortunately, Phillipians 2 vs 12 also reminds us that God ONLY does what is best to saves us, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
The tamarisk tree has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes. In ancient times, the bark and leaves of the tamarisk were used to treat fever, wounds, and digestive problems. Sounds a bit like the tamarisk tree, planted by Abraham, was a prophetic action pointing us to Jesus The Physician, doesn’t it.
I can’t but help to see Jesus hanging on the wood, almost like bark is on the outside of a tree, as if to draw us into the reality that He Alone heals wounds by bringing us into our eternal home. Amen
If you are at a place where your faith isn’t growing you into deeper trust of God and willingness to change for whatever reasons, trust me I get it. I was so broken by the world when Jesus found me that it has taken years for me to grow in my trust of God because people had destroyed trust in me. Here is a fantastically vulnerable prayer to pray to draw you into God.
PRAY THIS:
Father God,
I confess that I carry hurts, fears, and disappointments that stop me from fully trusting you. Please help me learn to trust You. I want to learn to love You enough that as You discipline me out of love for me that I, like Abraham, will plant my spiritual tamarisk trees. Help me to remain still in You, doing Your Will for me. Help me to see Your Hand on my life. Jesus, please be my Lord and Saviour. Holy Spirit please fill me anew with GOD’S TRUTH, and lead me upon the water towards deeper faith, greater obedience, and joyful surrender to God’s Way. In Your Holy Name King Jesus. Amen.
#Hayibo 