Confession 234: The Mighty Oak

They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.  

Isaiah 61:5

My husband recently built a beautiful doll crib for our niece's second birthday.  The first step in the process of building this crib was choosing the right wood.  While I was studying the price tags, Chris was carefully studying the quality of the wood.  The white ash, while very economical, was splintered and knotty.  The grain was uneven, there was lingering bark, and there were many obvious blemishes that could not be covered up.  The pine was better looking, but the grain was still uneven and spread apart.  It was also a softer wood than the oak right next to it.  The oak, from a craftsman's point of view, was splendid.  Fine, even grains, no knotting, no blemish, hard and strong, the oak was a piece of natural beauty that would need little in the way of a cosmetic makeover.  Although twice the price of the white ash, it was the right wood to create this crib/keepsake that our niece can keep through the years.

As I consider what it means to be a mighty oak planted for the display of the Lord's splendor, these things come to mind:

1. The oak is strong, durable, made to withstand the test of time.  Likewise, when we keep our focus on God, we have the ability to withstand all that life throws at us.  We can stand in the face of adversity because God gives us his unsurpassing strength.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

2. As we walk in the Lord, as we grow deeper into him, he is able to keep us on an even keel.  In God, we are steadfast.  We don't have to spend our lives bouncing around from one thing to the next, searching for the next best thing.  We have the best thing and God will lead us steadily onward.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3

3. In God, we have little need for a cosmetic makeover.  Through Christ's sacrifice on the cross we are able to come before the Lord without blemish, our sin washed clean in the blood of the Lamb.

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish, and free from accusation. Colossians 1:22

As a mighty oak planted for the Lord, we reflect his splendor when we remain faithful to him, when we walk in his ways, when we obey his commands and when we show his love to others.  We are Christ's keepsakes, spreading his love and teaching his commands from generation to generation.

Blessings and Peace,

Sara