Be An Olive Branch By Warren Wiersbe

Read Psalm 52:8-9

If you compared yourself to something in nature, what would you choose? Would you say you are like a mountain, or a hill or perhaps a lake? David wrote, "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever" (v. 8). David compared himself to something permanent, in contrast to the wicked, who will be uprooted from the land of the living (v. 5).

David's permanent position was also a privileged position because he was planted in the house of the Lord. The most important part of a tree is the root system, for it absorbs nourishment. In addition, it provides stability and strength in the storm. We can discern what kind of root system people have when the winds of life blow harder. Some people are like tumbleweeds; they just rootlessly blow from one place to another.

David was also productive. He was like a green olive tree in the house of God, bearing fruit for His glory. Fruitfulness is one of the great joys in the Christian life. Jesus used the image of a vine to tell believers that we should produce a lot of fruit (John 15:1-8).

Look at these symbols. A green tree symbolizes freshness and power. Olives contain oil, which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. No wonder David ended this psalm by praising the Lord! "I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good" (Ps. 52:9).

An olive tree in the house of God is an accurate picture of the believer's position. You are permanent, privileged and productive. You bear fruit for God's glory only when you are yielded to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Can you describe yourself as an olive tree in the house of God?