In Ps 92:12-14, three times we find the word flourish or flourishing in relation to the righteous and those planted in the house of the Lord.  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.

Flourish is to grow luxuriantly; to thrive; to achieve success; to prosper; to be in a state of production; to reach a height of development.

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.  A palm tree grows tall and it’s constantly green.  Palm tree fruit includes dates, açaí berries, and coconuts, wine, jelly, and palm oil.  Palm trees are uninfluenced by the seasons and they withstand wind.  They live around 100 years and they grow upright.  So, they are a good illustration of a righteous person.

To flourish we must be righteous, Ps 92:12.  We must live in righteousness to be consistently fruitful.  Our righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus Christ within us, 2 Cor 5:17-21.  And the Lord wants fruit from his righteousness.  Paul said in Phil 1:9-11, “being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God”.

The righteous shall flourish through chastening – Heb 12:11.  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  Christians who despise chastening never grow and become fruitful.

The righteous shall flourish through witnessing – Prov 11:30.  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.  Prov 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.  Souls come to Christ through our testimony and witness when we manifest the righteousness of Jesus Christ in us.  Men who use their own righteousness and means to pressure souls destroy the harvest.

The righteous shall flourish through giving – 2 Cor 9:10.  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.  When men and women grow in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, they naturally want to reach souls through giving to missions. They don’t have to be manipulated into giving.  Men who use unrighteous means to persuade people to give destroy the harvesters.

The righteous shall flourish through peace – Jas 3:18.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.  Christians should always strive to maintain peaceful relationships in the church to protect the fruitfulness of the church.   Discord destroys the church.

Be righteous in Jesus Christ and flourish like the palm tree.  You can see and hear the second part of this sermon in Flourish in the House of the Lord.