Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.

Poetry is all about metaphors, and those metaphors are important. We sometimes forget that the Psalms are all poems, and so are loaded with metaphors. David’s metaphors tell us about life back then as well as communicate truths we need to apply today. His choice of an olive tree to represent himself is particularly significant. Olive trees aren’t spectacular: they aren’t particularly large or colorful. However, they have two very important characteristics: they are hardy and long-lived, and they are useful. There are olive trees around today that were standing during the crusades, hundreds of years ago. They grow well under conditions that would cause many other varieties to wither and die, and they’re obviously in it for the long haul. Comparing yourself to an olive tree means you won’t give up, regardless of what life throws at you. Not only that, under those harsh conditions olives bear fruit: useful, valuable fruit. Olive oil was one of the pillars of both the diet and the economy back then. Today its economic impact is lessened, but it’s still one of the healthiest of dietary oils. In other words, if you are an olive tree, you’re good for something, you are fruitful. Olive trees might not be very ornamental, but they are very practical. We run into too many people who would rather be ornamental than practical! It is also significant that David places himself as an olive tree in the house of God. We don’t usually think of trees growing in church buildings! However, the first temple was built by David’s son Solomon, so David’s image is of the tabernacle, a tent, and there might even have been a few trees in the courtyard area of the tabernacle when David wrote this. The point is that David wanted to be close to God. That’s a combination we all need to aim for: fruitful, and close to God!

I think I am honest in saying that is my heart’s desire, but He is the judge of how close I am to fulfilling it. How much longevity I have on earth is again His business (though I’m to be a good steward of my body) but I have His promise that I will indeed live forever in His presence, long after this earth is no more. The question then becomes one of my usefulness, my fruitfulness while I am here. In John 15 Jesus used a grape vine rather than an olive tree for His metaphor, but He made it very clear that we can’t be fruitful unless we are properly attached, related to, Him. That has to be my focus. I am to keep pressing in to Him, day in and day out, 365/24/7. That’s where I have room to grow, as does everyone. My rate of spiritual growth will vary from time to time and season to season, but I’ve got to keep growing all the time, soaking in the sunlight of His presence, drinking in the living water of His Spirit, and absorbing and digesting the nutrition of His Word.

Father, thank You for being such a good gardener! Thank You for pruning as needed, as well as providing everything I need for growth and fruitfulness. Help me not reject any of it, even when the pruning is painful. May I indeed be persistently fruitful, close to You, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!