"The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for His name's sake."

When our Lord was crucified upon the tree, His body was like a branch that had been torn to shreds and stripped of every leaf in a violent storm. "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain" (Ezekiel 17:22). Jesus weathered the worst storm in history so that we would one day have the opportunity to sit under the shade of His tree and receive the blessings of His shelter and protection. He battled our greatest foes, and His righteous name has become for us a shelter from the storms of life. "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love" (Psalm 107:29-31).

In Christ we have been transformed from a barren and wilting tree into a fruitful garden of the Lord. He has clothed us with garments of salvation and righteousness so that we can become like Him; not dressed up on the outside, but transformed where it matters, deep within the heart. He has given us the righteousness of His holy name so that we can display His humility, purity, holiness, faithfulness and love in all the relationships we have. Only when we come by faith to the Branch will righteousness be found. "There is no one righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10). We can look forward to the day when our family tree will fully flourish; when there will be no more "cutting off," but all will be "grafted in" (Romans 11:17-24). "And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again" (v.23). Lord, give us grace to walk the righteous path that leads us daily to Your throne. Keep us in a right relationship with You, so we can also be in a right relationship with others; so they will be drawn to You as well. "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" (Psalm 1:3).

"I delight greatly in the LORD;

my soul rejoices in my God.

For He has clothed me with garments of salvation

and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seed to grow

so the Sovereign LORD will make

righteousness and praise spring up

before all nations."