Oaks of Righteousness

Over 500 years old, Angel Oak tree was formed when three trees grew together producing enough shade to cover 17,200 sq ft.

I kept hearing Isaiah 61:3, “In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”

I thought about how a marriage covenant is often described as a strand of 3 cords woven together. That 2 cords alone are not strong enough to hold together in trials, the third cord has to be added and intertwined so that it is never to be broken. Only two trees grown together would have collapsed in the next major storm, the middle oak is essential to the strength of the other two.

Jesus is THE essential in every relationship, friendship and even our “God-given” tasks. Without the sturdiness of Jesus, the binding power of His blood covenant washing over every aspect of our lives, the weight of striving in our glory will cause us to topple over in the next storm life will inevitably bring.

When we stand in the righteousness of Jesus, allowing Him the space of the middle oak, our lives become so deeply rooted into the soil of Life, that storms only make the roots grow stronger.

We are like oaks planted for His own glory. We hide in the plentiful and refreshing shade of His wings. “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” (Psalm 36:7)

As we grow as Oaks of Righteousness, we provide shade and shelter to other lives as well. Our legacy exceeds 500 years to generational legacies into eternity.