FLOURISHING IN THE COURTS OF GOD

“Those who are PLANTED in the house of the LORD shall FLOURISH IN THE COURTS OF OUR GOD” – Psalm 92:13

What greater blessing can one enjoy on earth than to “FLOURISH IN THE COURTS OF OUR GOD” (Psa.92:13)? That is the wonderful promise to everyone who is “planted in the house of the LORD”!  The house and courts of the LORD are supremely amiable. The Psalmist said: “My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord…For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psa.84:2a, 10). Yesterday, we reflected on flourishing like an olive tree in the house of God (Psa.52:8a). The verb ‘planted’ conveys the idea of cultivating a seed or seedling in the ground so it may grow. To be planted speaks of stability in the storms of life. All trees can look alike, but storms distinguish those that are planted from those that are not. Most uses of the word in the Bible are figurative, speaking of the godly man, Israel or of sowing God’s Word. Few examples:

• Psalm 1:3a – “He shall be like a tree PLANTED by the rivers of water…”

• Isaiah 61:3b – “That they may be called trees of righteousness, the PLANTING of the Lord…”

• Jeremiah 17:8 – “For he shall be like a tree PLANTED by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river…”

• Ezekiel 17:8 – “It was PLANTED in good soil by many waters, to bring forth branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic vine.”

• 1 Corinthians 3:6 – “I have PLANTED, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1Cor.3:6).

Psalm 135:2 says, “You who stand in the HOUSE of the LORD, in the COURTS of the house of our God.” The House of God refers to the Church – the Body of Christ. The “courts of our God” may be descriptive of local assemblies of believers and specific ministry assignments. Every member of the Body has a unique role to play: “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (1Cor.12:27). There is an appropriate place of planting for every child of God; and a calling that aligns with where we are planted. There are no denominations in heaven; the key to heaven is your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. But God left you here on earth to fulfil a purpose; and that is the relevance of the local Church where you are planted. We are all members of the same Body, but we are not the same part. Some are the hands, while others may be the feet, toes, fingers, eyes, ears or internal organs. Your position determines your assignment. Just as the nerves in the hands cannot function in the feet and the muscles in the stomach cannot function in the thigh, so God has planted everyone in a specific Ministry for a purpose.

A tragedy of contemporary Christendom is that we have a clientele of believers that do not understand their purpose; they jump from church to church like rolling stones that gather no moss; and get thoroughly confused. They become Jack of all trades, masters of none; end up not fulfilling the assignment God gave them and therefore, never get fulfilled. Many people are visitors or guests in God’s house. They probably think they are doing someone a favour by fellowshipping with other brethren. Some go to church only when there is a need for spiritual, material or financial assistance. Beloved, let your allegiance be total! Those who are planted are known by how much their life positively affect others and God’s kingdom work. Your fulfilment comes from being planted in your divinely ordained place, doing what you have been called to do, and flourishing therein. Stay where you are planted. No ministry is more important than the other, just like no part of the body is more important than the other. Find your place and play your part – by His Grace!