Like a Palm Tree - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

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Like the Palm Tree

Psalm 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Intro: Men are often likened to trees in the Bible (see text).

• Mark 8:24 “… I see men as trees, walking.” 

• Psalm 1 The blessed man is “ …like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

The palm tree in our text was probably the “date” palm.

In Biblical times it was considered the queen of all trees.

It typifies the life that God expects from the Christian.

Notice the contrast between the wicked in verse 7 and the righteous in verse 12:

The wicked "spring as the grass," but “the righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,”

Its growth may not be so rapid, but its endurance is in contrast with the short-lived grass of the meadow.

TWO KINDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:

1. Imputed Righteousness of the Savior (Positional).

2. Individual Righteousness of the saint – Rev. 19:8 (Personal).

When someone becomes a Christian, God expects that person to live righteously and godly in this present world.

(Titus 2:11-12).

Our text is referring to PERSONAL righteousness. “The righteous shall flourish (thrive; bloom; spread forth) like a palm tree.” 

I did some research on the Palm Tree. Much of this message is copied and pasted from research I did on this tree.

I think I know now why God said that the righteous shall be “Like the Palm Tree.”

I. The Placement Of the Palm Tree

A. Notice the Solitude

A palm tree differs from fir trees and pine trees in that it does not need a lot of other trees around it to survive.

It can grow tall and erect all alone in the desert.

A Christian lives IN the world, but it is not to survive ON the world.

FACT: Date palms are self-reliant (to some extent) and capable of managing their own maintenance. Through a process called "self-pruning," these plants naturally shed old fronds to ensure they maintain optimal health and shapely appearance. As the palm grows, older fronds (leaves) die and eventually fall off, making way for new growth at the crown. This natural shedding process helps the palm maintain a relatively tidy appearance and avoid wasting resources on dead or nonproductive fronds. It is a natural maintenance strategy and part of how the palm allocates energy to new growth.

NOTE: Just in case you interpret this characteristic to mean that you don’t need a pastor or a church, keep this in mind.

"Self-reliant" and "capable of managing their own maintenance" might overstate things.

• In cultivated environments (like commercial date farms), humans still prune date palms to:

  • Remove old fronds (for appearance and safety)

  • Prevent pest infestation and disease

  • Improve air circulation

  • Access fruit more easily

Palm trees were engraved on the walls of the Temple (1 Kings 6:29-36).

This was to remind Israel that each one was to be responsible for his own individual spiritual life.

He was not to be influenced by the behavior of others around him.

Earth is a desert to the Christian.

• Enoch walked with God all alone.

• Noah walked with God all alone.

• Joseph walked with God all alone.

• Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself – all alone.

• John the Baptist made the way straight for Jesus all alone.

Our doing right does not depend on the agreement and the actions of others.

We may be required at times to stand alone without anyone else standing with us.

The righteous realize that the only support they need is Christ.

As the songwriter said, “He’s all I need!”

B. Notice the Soil

FACT: Requires sandy soil that is pure to flourish.

The palm tree grows from the sand, but the sand is not its food; water from below feeds its tap roots.

Date palms develop a deep, fibrous root system, so they thrive in soil that is at least 3–4 feet deep.

Deeper soils allow better anchoring and water/nutrient uptake.

One of the few fruit trees that tolerate high salt content soils.

Ye are the salt of the earth!!

C. Notice the Stability

Date palm trees, a symbol of a desert oasis and long associated with Middle Eastern countries, have been successfully transplanted to other parts of the world.

Many believe that the date palm tree originated in Mesopotamia.

Date palm trees can live for over a century.

FACT: Nowadays they can be found in North Africa as well as the Americas; a testament to their hardy nature.

The date palm tree is an impressive living entity; it stands tall at up to 66 feet and can thrive in the same environment for more than a century.

The date palm is an enduring symbol of drought-like conditions.

Highly adaptable, it flourishes in scorching deserts and can thrive even with limited rainfall - a testament to its remarkable resilience.

At the same time, these palms still thrive in rainy conditions as well!

II. The Particulars of the Palm Tree

A. Its Development

Palm trees are dioecious, (dye-EE-shus) meaning there are separate male and female plants.

FACT: A palm tree is either a male or a female.

There is no record in history where a male palm tree ever became a female palm tree.

• The righteous are like the palm tree…

FACT: The palm tree grows from within.

• Most trees (like oaks, maples, pines) grow from the outside in — specifically, they grow in diameter by adding new layers just under the bark, in a tissue called the vascular cambium. These trees have growth rings because of this process.

• Palm trees, including the date palm, are monocots, not dicots like most trees. This means they don’t have a vascular cambium. Instead, they grow from within, using a central area called the apical meristem at the top of the trunk.

This is why:

• A palm tree doesn’t get broader with age like an oak.

• If the central growing point (the heart) is damaged, the palm will die — because all new growth comes from within the crown, not from the bark or outer layers.

• Unlike most trees that grow by adding layers outward from a cambium under the bark, the palm tree grows upward from a central bud deep within.

• Its growth is internal and vertical, not outward and ringed.

Christianity starts in the heart. It begins with a new birth on the inside.

Religion may reform a man outwardly, but salvation regenerates a man inwardly.

• Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

• 2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

B. Its Direction

The Palm Tree grows straight. And they grow UP. It is UPRIGHT.

The unsaved are called a crooked generation.

• Deuteronomy 32:5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.

• Philippians 2:15 We dwell “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation.”

Satan a crooked serpent.

• Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

But the Christian is upright like the palm tree.

• Psalms 11:7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

• Jeremiah 10:5 They are upright as the palm tree,

The branches of the Palm Tree grow upwards.

No branches grow out of its side, like other trees.

They do not shoot out their branches towards the world.

The affections of the righteous are set upon things above; they grow heavenward.

Colossians 3

• 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

• 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

C. Its Depth 

It is anchored deep, reaching depths up to 100 feet.

Its deep tap roots effectively seek out the water table.

Does not depend on surface things for its life.

It cannot be easily uprooted.

Some species can withstand hurricane-force winds over 100 mph due to this elasticity and internal structure.

The only way to harvest a palm tree for timber is to cut it down.

Shallow commitment makes shallow Christians.

• Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

• Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith,

D. Its Durability

The fiber of a palm tree is very elastic.

Palm Trees bend instead of break.

Palm trunks aren’t made of hard wood like oak or pine.Instead, they’re made of dense bundles of flexible vascular fibers — almost like a bundle of ropes packed together.

These fibers give the palm its unique combination of strength and flexibility.When strong winds blow, the trunk can bend, twist, and sway rather than snapping.

This is why palms — especially in hurricane-prone regions — are often still standing when other trees are blown down.

III. The Provision of the Palm Tree

The Palm Tree is a very diverse and useful plant.

The Hindus claimed it had 360 different uses.

It feeds millions of people around the world with its fruit.

• Psalm 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree…

• John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

FACTS: The average tree yields 300 pounds of fruit annually.

They can produce fruit for 60-80 years.

Begins producing: Around 4 to 8 years after planting.

Peak productivity: Between 15 and 35 years old, when fruit yield and quality are highest.

Continued production: Fruit production gradually declines after age 40–50, but many trees continue producing viable crops into their 60s–80s.

• John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain:

FACT: Dates are packed with a powerhouse of nutrition, providing essential vitamins and minerals as well as an energizing boost.

They are an excellent source of natural sugars, providing a quick energy boost.

They are the go-to snack for athletes looking to fuel up.

• Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

FACT: They are also high in antioxidants, which help protect the body from harmful free radicals.

• Dates are known to improve brain function due to their high antioxidant content.

• They can help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.

• Dates have been used in traditional medicine to treat conditions like anemia and digestive disorders.

• Consuming dates during pregnancy is believed to promote easier labor and delivery

Jesus asked Peter, “Lovest thou me?” Peter said, Yes! Jesus said, “Feed my sheep!”

You can know that you love the Lord when your life becomes a spiritual “feeding trough” for others.

The many other provisions of the Palm Tree:

Date seeds: Ground into animal feed, cosmetic oils, or coffee substitutes.

Date palm wood: Used in construction, furniture, and fencing — especially in traditional architecture.

Palm fronds: Used for baskets, mats, fans, roofing for houses.

Biofuel potential: Date seeds and other byproducts are being explored as sources for bioenergy and charcoal.

IV. The PRESTIGE of the Palm Tree

FAST FACTS:

• Date palms are a symbol of hospitality and generosity in many Arab cultures.

• In ancient Mesopotamia, date palms were considered a symbol of fertility and prosperity.

• The date palm has been a symbol of rebirth and everlasting life throughout the ages.

• Palm trees would often be inscribed on the tombs of saints (Unger’s Bible Dictionary).

• Its presence in funeral gardens was an expression of hope for resurrection even after death.

• The branches of the palm tree were used as signs of victory and rejoicing.

When Christ rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, the people waved branches of palm trees before Him saying, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13).

The 144,000 were also seen with palms in their hands (Rev. 7:9)

• 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

The righteous are on the winning side!

• Romans 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

• 1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

• 2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…”

Conclusion: How does your righteousness line up with the characteristics of the Palm Tree?

Is your life characterized by UPRIGHTNESS?

Can you stand alone amidst adverse conditions?

Are you anchored deep in the Word of God?

Are you experiencing VICTORY, or are you easily defeated?

Are you FLOURISHING spiritually?

Are you PRODUCING FRUIT to minister to others?

If not, you are not as “righteous” as God desires for you to be.

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree…”