Only God can make a tree! Scripture has a great deal to say about trees. In Daniel chapter 4 we have a remarkable dream, with the interpretation given. The heathen monarch dreamed he saw "A tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth" (verses 10,11). But that tree was doomed by an heavenly decree and cut down. Only the stump remained. Daniel tells the king, "It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness . . . reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth" (vs. 22).

Nebuchadnezzar was cut down, and we see in the interpretation that all earthly greatness will eventually fall and fade away as did the splendor of this great monarch. Then, the true Ruler, Jesus Christ, will rule from sea to sea and "of His kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:33). This earthly kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is still future.

Another tree I want to mention is a leafless tree, having only two branches. The One who caused it to grow, sending His sunshine and rain upon it, is nailed to it hand and foot. What a sight!

O Cross of Christ, O glorious tree,
What place can be compared to thee;
Where God's own Son was crucified,
And for our sins, a ransom died.

"Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13). "Christ . . . His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:21-24). Have you looked to the blood-stained tree where Christ was made a curse for ruined, sinful man? Or have you been rather seeing men as trees, great in your mind's eye with no need for salvation?

Look! Look! Look and live!
There is life in a look at the crucified One,
There is life at this moment for thee,
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved,
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.

If you, dear reader, have never looked in faith to the Christ of the cross, you are a doomed tree. No science or skill can keep you alive in this scene. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). The decree has gone forth, and will eventually be carried out. Today, while God wants to be gracious, turn to Him in repentance and confession of your sins (Eph. 2:21). Then the leafless tree of Calvary will be your glory and shade through time and eternity. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14,15).

An eternal tree is mentioned in Revelation 22:1,2: "And He shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life." Blessed scene where sin, decay and death can never come. Eternity is stamped on all at last.

—A.H.S.