We have two very, very, large, beautiful oak trees the other side of our fence. The leaves are now forming; we will have acorns and plenty of autumn leaves later in the year. The problems are the acorns drop on our side path, which makes it dangerous to walk down and the leaves drop all over our garden. The trees have a preservation order on them so we cannot prune them. Nevertheless, they are magnificent trees.
To the Greeks, Romans and Celts the oak tree was foremost in venerated trees and associated with their supreme God. To Druids they symbolise continuity, tradition and endurance.
In the Bible oak trees signify the Lord’s righteousness, starting with Abraham choosing to believe God, moving to the promised land and building his first altar at the Oak of Moreh (Genesis 12:6).
Another word for righteousness is faithfulness and our Lord is faithful to us. He is also like the oak tree — ageless and lasting. So, lean on Him as it says in Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved”.
A sentiment I have always remembered and is echoed by Peter in his Epistle “Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).