"They are called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that HE MIGHT BE GLORIFIED"
- TREES ARE PLANTED BY SOMEONE. These trees of righteousness are "the planting of the Lord." Christ said, "Every plant which my Father hath not planted shall be rooted up" (Matt. 15:13).
- TREES WHICH LIVE HAVE THEIR ROOTS IN WATER. These trees of righteousness have their roots in Christ, "the living water." "I will give you living water," our Lord said (John 4:10).
- TREES WHICH GOD PLANTS BEAR FRUIT. "He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (John 15:5). That fruit is the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility, and temperance.
- TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS NEVER WITHER AND DIE. How could He be glorified if His vineyard died or brought forth no fruit? No! "He bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Psalm 1:3).
As God's people grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ, our prayers change! There is more praise and less petition; more gratitude and less "give me;" more thanksgiving and fewer request. I believe this is a sign of spiritual maturity. Psalm 103 is an example of this. Most agree that David wrote the psalm in his latter years; for there is a clear sense of the FRAILTY OF THIS LIFE, there is a KEENER AWARENESS OF SIN, and there is a HIGH PRIORITY PLACED ON MERCY AND FORGIVENESS! As far as I can tell, NOT ONE PETITION NOR REQUEST occurs throughout the entire psalm. The psalmist, David, kneels in adoration and praises the Lord Himself. Let us learn from this. It is possible to be taken up with blessings, gifts, and benefits and fail to praise, thank, and rejoice in THE LORD HIMSELF!
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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