When the Seasons Change, He is Constant
I have lived in a few cities over the years. Some of them hardly experienced seasonal changes, but because fall is one of my favorite times of year, I love living in a place where autumn bursts with color. Every year, I’m amazed to see the trees that were green all summer suddenly clothed in shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Did you know the reason leaves change color is because, as the days grow shorter and the air cooler, the green chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down? What remains are the vibrant reds and golds we see. I was surprised to learn that part of the leaf is actually dying in order to create this beautiful fall scenery! Yet even in this, I see a reflection of life; change often involves loss, but God uses it to bring beauty and renewal.
Just as the leaves fall to make way for winter, and eventually for new growth in spring, so too are we invited to trust God in our own seasons of change. The psalmist reminds us:
They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in season, and their leaves do not wither. (Psalm 1:3)
Here, the righteous person is compared to a tree intentionally planted by streams of water.[1] The Hebrew word, שָׁת֪וּל, implies that this tree did not grow there by accident; it was set deliberately in a life-giving place. Unlike shrubs struggling in the wilderness (Jeremiah 17:6), this tree has stability, protection, and a guaranteed future. In Israel’s dry climate, this imagery would have been powerful – survival itself depended on being near water.
The streams of water represent God’s sustaining presence. Imagine the relief of being thirsty, longing for even a sip, and then finally drinking deeply – how refreshing, how life-giving! In the same way, God’s Word nourishes us. Yeshua (Jesus) even promised that those who believe would receive the Holy Spirit as living water (John 7:38).
The psalmist also notes that the tree bears fruit in season. Fruitfulness isn’t constant but comes in God’s timing. Like a tree, our lives include seasons of growth, waiting, pruning, and harvest. The righteous learn to trust that God brings fruit at the proper time (Galatians 6:9). And just as fruit is meant to bless others, not the tree itself, so our lives are meant to benefit those around us and bring glory to God.
The image of unwithered leaves highlights endurance. In a hot land like Israel, leaves dry up quickly if they go without water – but those rooted in God remain green and vibrant, even through a season of drought. Trials will come, yet the person grounded in His Word is not destroyed by them. Their inner life remains alive and strong.
The verse concludes: “In all that they do, they prosper.” Here prosperity does not mean wealth or worldly success. It means wholeness, alignment with God’s will, and effectiveness in fulfilling His purpose. True prosperity is a life that counts in God’s eyes – a life that bears fruit that lasts (John 15:16).
Psalm 1:3 paints a beautiful picture of the righteous life: rooted, nourished, fruitful, enduring, and purposeful. Just as a tree cannot thrive without water, we cannot flourish apart from God’s Word and presence.
Written by Hannah, Life in Messiah staff
How do you find nourishment in the Lord?
As you watch the leaves change colors, what part of you is the Lord pruning away, in order to bring out vibrant colors?
Endnotes:
[1] https://biblehub.com/lexicon/psalms/1-3.htm