About 15 years ago, unsure of whether I had made the right decision in re-locating our family from California to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, I took a long walk one early Saturday morning to inquire of the Lord. I recall looking out into the thick forest near our house and seeing no cedar trees. Jokingly, I asked the Lord, “Where are all the cedars of Lebanon?” The Lord answered immediately, “You are the cedars of Lebanon.” A sudden assurance came over me that my family and I were right where God wanted us to be. I hurried home to do research on the cedars of Lebanon. From scriptures such as Ps. 92:12-15, Hosea 14:5-7, Ezek. 31:3, Ps. 104:16-17 and Isaiah 2:15, I learned that these cedars are planted in the house of God; flourish in His courts; proclaim His uprightness; send down deep roots; grow very tall and overshadow their forests; give off a wonderful fragrance; provide shade for men and a place for birds to nest; and continue to bear fruit in old age. These trees are rot-resistant and knot-free and, hence, are ideal for building purposes. They were used to build David’s palace (II Sam. 5:11) and Solomon’s temple (I Kings 6:9).

Although this word from the Lord provided me personal guidance and much assurance and encouragement, I am not narcissistic enough to believe that this word was only for me and my family. Ps. 92:12-15 says, “The righteous will…grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…” All who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ are “the righteous” (II Cor. 5:21). We are all cedars of Lebanon. Let us be encouraged and continue to grow and be the cedars of Lebanon He has called us to be!