Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the the year of our Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

The Scene: A mighty oak tree, representing God’s people. It grew from a sapling to a full sized tree. The root system* grew more rapidly from the acorn (representing a firm foundation, developed by God’s people through reading of His Word.) * The life blood of the tree, a firm foundation needed for the tree to survive.

2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his, and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’ “

Rain came in a timely manner (Jesus’ living water–His Word) causing the sapling to grow upward (representing the Christian growth in spiritual maturity). The sun shone on the plant (the light of His Word) and caused the leaves to sprout (born-again experience of believers) and the color green was pleasing to the eye, causing the unsaved to come near the tree and enjoy the shade. (The unsaved are brought to salvation.)

Proverbs 9:9-10 “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

8-107 SOLID FOUNDATION