The Secret of the Evergreen

Winter 2024-2025 Meditation

by Jodi Hiser

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in him.” (Psalm 92:12-14)

If you hike through the forest this winter, you’ll discover a world of bare trees,stripped of their color and glory, exposed to the open, frigid air. The density of the forest  has vanished, and emptiness fills the spaces where foliage once thrived. If you tread deeper, you will find that the emptiness is happily disrupted by an intermittent evergreen tree. This tree is different; its lush branches are full and thick, mocking the barrenness of its forest friends.

The evergreen tree stands in the middle of the forest, filled with life and color, stretching its branches towards heaven. The evergreen in itself is a symbol of hope, of life in the midst of winter, of growth despite its harsh surroundings.

The culture in which we live and work is like a perpetual winter. It is filled with harsh conditions that prohibit spiritual growth. Like trees inside a forest, we stand—doing our best to find the sun, hoping our roots will hold up against the northern winds.

Yet, Scripture says that the righteous flourish and grow like a cedar in Lebanon (Psalm 92:12). 

In ancient days, the cedars of Lebanon were mighty and noble trees, often living for a century or more. These trees were used to build David’s palace and Solomon’s temple. The wood was considered pliable, yet possessing longevity. Cedars were  used for their fragrance and preserving power. 

The qualities of these cedars become ours when we are planted in the house of the Lord (Ps 92:13 a). The words of this Psalm are speaking of the spiritual benefits that come from our union in Christ. Those who believe and trust in Christ flourish and bear fruit (Ps 92:13b, 14). They are ever full of sap and are green with life (Ps 92:14).

How can this be? How could a believer in Jesus Christ be like that lone evergreen in a forest filled with barrenness?

The secret of the evergreen lies not in itself but with its Creator. Evergreens are designed by God to be alive all year round. The evergreen tree doesn’t do anything to earn this life. The evergreen tree doesn’t work harder than its naked neighbors. Rather, it enjoys the design that God has gifted to its timbered frame.

Likewise, those who are in Christ are new creatures. Christ gives us the gift of new life, and we are blessed by His indwelling Spirit. Nothing within us can generate pliability, longevity, sweet fragrance, or perseverance. Nothing in ourselves can produce fruit and life-giving properties. But because the Holy Spirit dwells inside us, we are transformed from the life of the barren tree into the life of the evergreen. Christ’s light shines through us. His life warms us. His love grows us, even in the midst of harsh surroundings.

This transformation can only occur because our Lord is in Himself everlasting, righteous, and eternal. He is immortal, invisible, God only wise!  Those that belong to Him are strengthened and preserved by His unending power.

It’s easy to look at the toxic culture and be afraid. But just as God is the Gifter of our initial transformation into life, He is also the Gifter of our preservation to the end. His everlasting power equips us with strength and perseverance. During the darkness and frigidness of this season, we can look to the evergreen and be filled with hope. God is our everlasting Father, who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His light and strength are never depleted. As long as we are rooted in Him, we will grow and bear fruit, even in our old age, even despite the bitterness of winter.