Today I want to share something I believe is on the heart of God for many of you who are concerned about what the future years of your life may bring. It’s a significant message from the palm tree!

Your Father wants to awaken dreams. He wants to restore an expectation of fruitfulness in your life, and He wants you to know, it’s not over.

As you surrender to Him and yield to His Spirit, the best days of life are ahead of you.

It’s Time to Rekindle Your Dreams!

This is a year of milestones. Recently, my husband Malcolm and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. Soon afterward, it was my 50th birthday. During times like these, by God’s grace, we reflect, rejoice, and look forward with anticipation to the future.

Our ministry leaders, David and Margaret McCracken are a tremendous inspiration to us. Recently at our Breakthrough Night, our team, along with family and friends, honored them for 40 years in full-time ministry.

Last year David wrote:
“On October 30th I will be 65 years of age yet … I HAVE A DREAM!
Can I challenge you to seek Father’s heart so that He might place within you your dream and then let it burn bright? Nourish it, speak to it, meditate on it, let Holy Spirit breathe into it… let it burn bright!”

My friends, it’s time to dream and it is time to pursue your dream with a resolute gaze and an impassioned heart!’ [1]

5 Lessons from the Palm Tree

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”’ (Psalm 92:12-15)

What does it mean to flourish “like a palm tree”?

The psalmist referred to the date palm, which was common in Palestine in those days.
These five lessons from the date palm encourage us concerning who God has called us to be, to the very end of our life on earth:

1. The Palm Tree Remains Strong

The palm tree grew to a great height, up to 75ft (23m) tall, and reached the age of 100-200 years.

“As your days, so shall your strength be.” (Deut 33:25)

You can continue to dream with God!

2. Abundant Fruitfulness

Throughout its life, the fruit of the date palm was produced yearly, and in great abundance of clusters.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5,16)

3. Nothing Wasted on the Palm Tree!

An amazing fact about the date palm is that every part of it was useful. The palm leaves were used to cover homes and as material for fences. They were also useful for making baskets and other items. Even the seeds, when ground, produced food for camels.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

4. The Palm Tree as a Testimony of Praise

The palm represented praise, victory, and salvation:

• Palm trees were carved into the temple décor (1 Kings 6:29)
• Their branches were used in the feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:40)
• Palm leaves were thrown upon the ground before Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem. (Jn 12:13)
• In Revelation, the great multitude of people saved from every nation wear white robes and hold palm branches in their hands. (Rev 7:9)

5. Planted in the House

In the New Testament context, being ‘planted in the house of God’ speaks of being firmly established in the Christian community in a local church. We flourish, not in isolation, but together.

‘…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another… and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ (Hebrews 10:25)

Strong and Fragrant like the Cedar

The psalmist also likened God’s people to the cedar; a tall, evergreen tree that produced a fragrant gum. Its wood was strong and long-lasting, so it had many uses, including furniture and ship masts. Due to its qualities, cedar wood was used to construct the temple. [2]

We can joyfully embrace the passing of years when we read what God has declared in His Word! Like the cedar built into the temple and the palm tree, we have the privilege of being used by our Father to help build His Church, establish His Kingdom—and remain strong where He has placed us throughout our lives. 

Notes:

[1] Find out about David McCracken here.

[2] For references concerning the palm tree and cedar:

DAVIS, J.G. Davis Dictionary Of The Bible. 1972. London: Pickering & Inglis.
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary ([Rev. ed.], 2011 ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan.

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• A Prophetic Word for Those in the Golden Years of Life
• Your Value To God is not Based On what you do
• Oasis: 7 Reasons to Keep God’s Appointment at Elim

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.