He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root, Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit, Isaiah 26:6. They shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. Isaiah 37:31. They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. Psalms 92:14-15. Her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:8.
True evangelical Christians look upon themselves as the most barren trees, ever crying out, O my leanness! my leanness! Even before the judgment-seat of Christ, they know no fruits. Matthew 25:37-39. The reason is, they are poor in spirit, and are not pleased with their fruits, but only with Christ.
O Lord, grant that I may desire not only earnestly, but singly also, to bring, forth more fruits, that I may grow in fruitfulness as I grow in years; so as to be ever green, and never ceasing from yielding fruits in my old age, fruits which may last to all eternity.
Lord ’tis a pleasant thing to stand
In gardens planted by thine hand:
Let me within thy courts be seen,
Like a young cedar fresh and green.
There grow thy saints in faith and love,
Blest with thy influence from above:,
Time, that does all things else impair.
Still makes them flourish strong and fair.
Laden with fruits of age, they show
The Lord is holy, just, and true:
None that attend his gates shall find
A God unfaithful or unkind.