The Trees Of The Field

The colors of life are in the Fall,

where God’s bright truths are shown to all.

The trees of the field will clap their hands

and spread God’s love throughout the lands.

The warmest brown leaves will tell it straight

 that all have sinned and tend to hate.

The red leaves that shine will sing of love

that comes from God who reigns above.

The brightest orange leaves will make all see

that Christ bore all iniquity.

And pure yellow leaves will give a smile

to be with Him in just a while.

Autumn colors are rich to see

the Painter of Eternity.

The trees of the field, bright warm and true,

display God’s love for me and you!

For ye shall go out with joy,

and be led forth with peace:

the mountains and the hills

shall break forth before you into singing,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12

The Trees of the Field

Following the way of love leads to Heaven where we will go out with joy and be led forth with peace. Of course, joy and peace can be experienced now, before Heaven. But, I think it’s better there.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

What a commitment of love towards us! All of the Bible speaks of it! With that, we are to try to demonstrate love to others, even if others are loveless. Imitating God means to show kindness, even if others don’t return the kindness. We are to deny ourselves, even if not easy, pick up our cross and follow if we call ourselves servants of the Most High.

And following brings reward.

As I notice the changing leaves on the trees around me, I think of how God allowed people like Isaiah to see chapters in the Maker’s story. This prophet, this Seer, tells us of God’s sovereignty and gives glimpses of Heaven. Can you see that God is an awesome storyteller? Can you see the excellent end of the story? Who wouldn’t want to end well?

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 55:13

Adam and Eve originally experienced a creation that is different than today’s continuation of it under sin and because of their sin. The original good ground became cursed and produced thorns and thistles. But there will be a return to thorn-less ground and thistle-free living in the place Jesus is preparing called Heaven, where fir and myrtle trees will grow and where, for the LORD’s renown, eternal goodness will thrive.
   
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2

If all the trees of the field could clap their hands, that would make quite a loud noise, wouldn’t it? If mountains and hills could burst into song, that would be thunderous. But what would make these trees and mountains respond so musically? Isaiah explains earlier in chapter 55. The reason for their joy is the acceptance of God’s invitation to salvation. It’s yielding seed from what was sown. It’s being nourished from the bread chosen to eat and satisfied from the water selected to drink. It’s our decision to have faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:12-13

The Lord Jesus is rich to those who call upon Him. ‘Is rich’ could mean a lot of things. We are surely in for a treat, like Isaiah seeing incredible visions. Have you read the amazing descriptions of the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God in Revelation 21? The city of pure gold and wall of jasper, among other precious stones, are worth seeing. Living in a sin-free environment is worth today’s toils. Like John, the author of Revelation, Isaiah talks about Heaven, too, only he did way before John. God divinely inspires across time as He purposes.

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come to mind.
Isaiah 65:17

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 65:25

I encourage you to read Isaiah 65:17-25 for more glimpses of Heaven.

I stand by the edge of the woods and look across the field realizing we only know this side of the field. We know of the laws and order of this world and time. But there is something different on the other side. As Isaiah did many times, may you call upon God through prayer and hear Him speaking. And may we cross the field into Heaven with a standing ovation of singing and clapping as we go out with joy and be led forth with peace.