“Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.” (Psalm 92:13-14)
Imagine two plants. One is planted in rich, fertile soil, where it gets plenty of sunlight and water. The other is stuck in rocky, dry ground, far from any source of nourishment. Over time, the plant in the good soil grows tall, strong, and full of life, producing bright green leaves and vibrant flowers. But the plant in the bad soil struggles. Its leaves turn brown, and it barely survives.
Just like the plant, we need to be in the right place to thrive. For a Christian, that place is the church. When we are planted in God’s house, we grow spiritually, we flourish, and we are fruitful. Even in our old age, we can still produce good fruit, just as Psalm 92 says.
What Does It Mean to Be Planted?
Being planted isn’t just about attending church occasionally. It means being deeply rooted, committed, and connected. Here’s what that looks like:
1. Make Every Service a Priority
Being planted in church means we don’t skip services. We make it to every service because church is more important than our job, family events, sports, or anything else. It gets the first spot on our calendar, and everything else revolves around it.
2. Be On Time
A tree that is planted in good soil doesn’t miss out on water or sunlight. It’s always on time to get the nourishment it needs. We should be no different. Being on time to church shows that we value and prioritize our time with God. It demonstrates respect for His house and a desire to be fully engaged from the very beginning.
3. Fellowship With Church Members
Being planted means building relationships with other believers. We support one another, share our time, talents, and resources, and look for ways to be a blessing. Just as trees in an orchard can help protect and nourish each other, we grow stronger when we fellowship and serve alongside our church family.
4. Serve in the Church
God has given each of us unique talents and abilities, not to keep to ourselves but to use for His glory. Whether it’s teaching, singing, helping in the nursery, or greeting visitors, we should find ways to serve. When we are planted, we actively contribute to the life and growth of the church.
5. Tell Others About the Lord and Our Church
If a tree is healthy, it produces fruit. For Christians, part of that fruit is sharing the gospel and inviting others to church. Why wouldn’t we share the joy and truth we’ve found? It would be selfish to keep it to ourselves when there are so many around us who need it.
6. Give Financially
Being planted means giving back to God what is already His. We tithe and give offerings joyfully, understanding that everything we have comes from Him. We don’t rob God; we give to Him out of gratitude and obedience.
7. Support the Program and Leadership
A healthy tree doesn’t constantly uproot itself; it remains steady and strong. We, too, should be stable and supportive in our church. That means loving and encouraging our pastor, teachers, and leaders. We don’t allow others to sow discord. If issues arise, we handle them properly and with a spirit of love, knowing that God blesses a church that works together.
When we are planted in the house of the Lord, we flourish. We grow strong, bear fruit, and remain vibrant even as we age. Psalm 92:13-14 reminds us of the blessings that come from being deeply rooted in God’s house.
Let’s choose to be planted in the right place, where God’s Word nourishes us, and His people encourage us, so we can grow into the Christians He has called us to be.
