“Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree…” (Isa. 55:13).
This is one of those “before and after” verses. It describes you and me before and after our conversion. It stresses the difference between life without the Spirit and life filled with the Spirit.
The thorn describes the unregenerate man. A thorn tree grows like a weed without cultivation; it has no utility, no beauty or redeeming features. A thorn punctures and irritates. Thorns go with the wasteland, this wilderness we call the world.
The fir tree, on the other hand, is a picture of the regenerated man. It is an evergreen. Green is the color of eternal life. Thus the evergreen is symbolic of salvation.
The fir does not fade; all year long its needles and branches point right up toward heaven. Instead of being thorn trees in the wilderness, you and I are living fir trees, perpetually straight and green and lively.
The brier represents the dead and barren life without the Spirit. The brier is a good picture of the self-life: uncrucified, unruly, undisciplined.
The myrtle represents life with the Spirit. The myrtle is known for its aroma. The fragrance of righteousness, love, and eternal life replaces the stench of worldliness, selfishness, and death.
All this life, beauty, and fragrance is worth receiving!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.