Refill Devotional, Week 1 Day 4: “The Benefits Of Being Plugged In”

The Benefits of Being Plugged In

Psalm 92:12-13

This past year we decided to plant our very own garden. We built the area for the garden and then prepped the soil. While we were preparing our little masterpiece a neighbor gave us a blackberry shoot to plant. I was hesitant but my wife said for me to take it so I did. We never did plant that blackberry shoot, so it died.

Being plugged into (planted in) a local church has so many benefits. Some of which are seen right here in Psalm 92. When you are plugged into a local church not only do you get Refilled by experiencing God’s presence around other believers but you also flourish like a Palm Tree and a Cedar of Lebanon.

Let me explain; The date palm is a graceful, tall tree, with green fronds that remain green year-round. It can grow as tall as 90 feet. You can eat the dates and make a drink from its sap. You can use palm fronds to make mats and baskets. The cedar of Lebanon is an evergreen. It can reach a height of 120 feet. Cedars are valuable mainly for their wood.

This picture is given to us to represent several things about those who are righteous.
The righteous:

• Are spiritually alive. A tree is a living thing.

• Are close to God. These trees were brought in and planted close to the Temple which was a representation of where the presence of God was.

• Are in a place of honor. Not just any tree was placed in the courtyard by the Temple.

• Are in a place of protection. The trees in the Temple Courts were protected from exposure to violent winds. It would be protected from those who might want to chop it down for firewood or lumber.

Are you plugged into a local church today and are you seeing the benefits of it in your life?

Ben Brinkman