FRUITFUL TO THE END

Fruitful to the End

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.

Psalm 92:14

READ PSALM 92:12–15

Although Lenore Dunlop was ninety-four years young, her mind was sharp, her smile was bright, and her contagious love for Jesus was felt by many. It wasn’t uncommon to find her in the company of the youth of our church; her presence and participation were sources of joy and encouragement. Lenore’s life was so vibrant that her death caught us off guard. Like a powerful runner, she sprinted across life’s finish line. Her energy and zeal were such that, just days before her death, she completed a sixteen-week course that focused on taking the message of Jesus to the peoples of the world.

The fruitful, God-honoring life of Lenore illustrates what’s seen in Psalm 92:12-15. This psalm describes the budding, blossoming, and fruit-bearing of those whose lives are rooted in a right relationship with God (vv. 12-13). The two trees pictured were valued for their fruit and wood, respectively; with these the psalmist captures a sense of vitality, prosperity, and usefulness. When we see in our lives the budding and blossoming fruit of loving, sharing, helping, and leading others to Christ, we should rejoice.

Even for those who may be labeled “senior” or “seasoned,” it’s never too late to take root and bear fruit. Lenore’s life was deeply rooted in God through Jesus and testifies to this and to God’s goodness (v. 15). Ours can too.

By Arthur Jackson

REFLECT & PRAY

Father, give me the strength to bear fruit that clearly demonstrates that my life is rooted in the life of Jesus, Your Son.

How does your life reflect the fruit found in a growing relationship with Jesus? What can you add or eliminate to help you grow?

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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Psalm 92 has this superscription: “A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.” This tells us the Israelites sang this praise song in public worship on the Sabbath day (vv. 1-3). According to the New Living Translation Study Bible, “Jewish tradition assigned one psalm to each day of the week: Sunday (Psalm 24), Monday (Psalm 48), Tuesday (Psalm 82), Wednesday (Psalm 94), Thursday (Psalm 81), Friday (Psalm 93), and the Sabbath (Psalm 92).” The Sabbath was a day God set apart for His people to rest and participate in community worship—celebrating His greatness in creation (Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 23:3) and remembering their deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:6, 15). For the Israelites, long life was considered a reward and blessing from God (Deuteronomy 4:40; 5:33; 30:20). Psalm 92 celebrates that blessing, capturing the gratitude of those who’ve experienced a lifetime of walking with Him (vv. 5-15). K. T. Sim