HOPE FOR THE FALLEN TREE

TEXT: JOB 14:7-9 (NKJV)

"For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. 

Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, 

Yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant."

 

PROPOSITIONAL STATEMENT: 

Your extremity is certainly not the end of your life. Though weeping may endure for a night, joy will surely come in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Your state will not be like this for ever (Psalm 103:9).

INTRODUCTION:

 A common saying that the down fall of a man is not the end of his life, holds sway for the reality of consistent and persistent hope in God, despite the seasons of our testing as  believers in Christ. No matter how hard the testing season is, there will always be a beaming light at the end of the tunnel.

DIVISIONS:

1. There is hope for the hopeless (Job14:7). Considering the imagery of being cut down here, one would have thought and concluded that every  hope for the survival of that tree is gone. Why? Because it was cut down. Just like Job's friends thought, concluded and chided him that his own is finished, because of his predicaments---the lose of wealth, the lose of his children and the lose of his health (Job 11:13-20). Zophar the Naamathite, one of JOB's friends certainly knew that there is hope for Job (Job11:18-19). In Leviticus 26:3-13 stated that obedience to doing the word of God and keeping his commandments produces abundance of rain and peace for the people of God.

 

2.There is hope for a change ( Job14:114; 13:15). It takes determination and consistent trust in God to wait for your time of change. Do you know something? The harder the challenge, the stronger is the outstretch of God's hands towards you for deliverance. No wander, King David boldly stated in Psalm 23:4 that , "Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...". He was boldly hopeful that he was not going to be swallowed by the shadow of death because he believed that God's presence, his rod and staff are with him and this was his comfort. What a wonderful man of Earnest expectations. I don't know how and what you're passing through right now. But what I do know is that if you're hopeful, and truly and firmly trust in the God of heaven who rules the earth in his sovereignty, you will celebrate your victory over any dark hour of your life. Do you know why ? Because God will not leave you alone in your predicaments. Hear His word through prophet Isaiah 43:2 which has this to say, " When thou passet through the waters, I will be with; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee". Carry the name of Jesus with you, anywhere you go, and yours will be a testimony.

3. There is hope for the righteous. By the way, who is the righteous? Is it one that speaks in tongues, yet, hates his brother, sister, neighbour, and even making enemies? No! The righteous is a man, a woman, a boy or a girl who maintains and conforms to high standard of morality and spirituality ( Proverbs14:32, Genesis 49:18-19, Psalm 16:11). The righteous has the assurance of deliverance from every evil work (11 Timothy 4:18).

 ILLUSTRATION: Once upon a time, there was a Christian woman who was a Secretary typist in an office at a university. She was hotly illicitly advanced constantly by her boss in the office, but she kept turning down the boss. So, one day the boss facilitated her removal from work. Very fervent a Christian as she was, she immediately rushed to her pastor with a sack letter and presented it to her pastor with this word "Man of God see the reward of my tenacity in Christ's word and what it has earned me". Receiving the letter from her, the pastor said to her, sister go and trim up  the light of your hope and be ready to return to your place soon. She believed the word spoken by the pastor, and the following week she was called by the panel of enquiry in her work place. After all said and done, she was called back to her work. Hope does not make ashame. Truly, there is hope for the righteous.

4. There is hope for the Barren (1 Samuel 1:12-19, Genesis 21:1-3, 17:15-16). God is God of fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is one of the glories of your destiny (Genesis 1:28, 9:1,7). 

5. There is hope for a captive. Esther and her nationals, including her uncle, Mordecai,  were carried captive to Persians, but even in captivity in the sight of God, and because of her unshakable hope in the God of Israel she was highly cherished and favoured. She became a Queen in the land of her captivity, just like Daniel and Joseph (Esther 2:8-9, Genesis 41:40-46, Daniel 2:46-49, Amos 9:14).

APPLICATION: 

 Been drawn to the footnote of life because of the reason of your current encounter with your complicated situation. Let me assure you that if you rekindle your lamp of faith, trust and hope you  have in the Lord God of your salvation, your testimony will come speedily. Remember that we are saved by hope (Romans 8:24).

Conclusion: Stop leaving as one that has no hope. Just lay hold upon the hope and be hopeful. The fallen tree will rise again.

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Prayer points:

1.Oh God cause my fallen tree to sprout again and to yield.

 2. Lord, let not my tender branch cease to yield.

3. Let my change come, so that my enemies maybe put to shame.

4. Givee me the grace to be righteous and remain righteous continually.

5. Make me fruitful in all its ramifications----- socially, spiritually, psychologically, philosophically, economically and avocationally.

God bless you richly as you remain in the Lord for your salvation and reconciliation to God.

A message of hope from God through His bondservant, Pastor Dr Jude O.D. Ekele, JP, Cert, Dip., B.A.Ed., B.A, M.A, D.min