Planted by the Stream: A Meditation from the Storm
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” —Psalm 1:3, ESV
This week, we faced a storm unlike any we’ve seen before. Living on a ranch, we’re no strangers to unpredictable weather—but this was different. As the tornado approached, we ran to our bunker for safety. The power went out. Thunder roared. Lightning lit up the sky in bursts so fierce it felt like the ground itself was trembling.
We sat in complete darkness, lit only by a few candles. And then something extraordinary happened. One voice began to sing a hymn. Then another. Soon, the bunker was filled with voices—soft, strong, trembling, steady—lifting praises to the Lord. In the middle of the storm, surrounded by fear and uncertainty, worship broke through.
I found myself meditating on Psalm 1. The Law of the Lord is not just instruction—it is life. It is the stream that nourishes us, even when everything around us is shaking.
The world offers many explanations for storms. Some invoke Zeus, the mythological god of thunder, as if judgment comes from ancient tales. Others point to climate change, suggesting we are suffering the consequences of our rebellion against creation. But none of these voices speak with authority.
The One who created the heavens and the earth is not a myth. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He alone commands the wind and the waves. And in the middle of the storm, His presence was unmistakable.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” —Psalm 19:1, ESV
That night, as we sat in the bunker with only candlelight, the sky erupted with lightning. It wasn’t just a storm—it was a display of divine power. Each strike lit up the darkness, reminding us that even in chaos, God speaks.
The thunder shook the ground. The lightning split the sky. And yet, in the middle of it all, we sang hymns. Worship rose from the shadows. The storm became a sanctuary.
“The tree was strong, planted for decades—but not near the stream. When the storm came, it split in half. A visual reminder that roots matter. That proximity to living water matters. That God’s Word is not just nourishment—it is protection.”
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” —Psalm 1:3, ESV
“This tree stood tall for over 50 years. But it wasn’t planted near the creek. The storm revealed what was hidden underground. And that’s the lesson: storms don’t just shake us—they reveal us.”