Day 6 – Endurance like the Olive

(Olea europaea)

“This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were almost gone.” Genesis 8:11 NLT

The olive tree is frequently mentioned in scripture and conveys various symbolic meanings. It is first mentioned when the dove returned to Noah’s ark carrying an olive branch in its beak. I have often wondered why God would choose an olive tree, apart from its symbolic meaning. It could be that they were stubborn enough to survive the flood!

Olive trees are versatile and can grow in almost any condition: on terraced hills or in valleys, in rocky or fertile soil. They can thrive in great heat with limited water and are virtually indestructible. If cut down, new shoots spring up from its roots, so that as many as five new trunks could come into being. And if all of this is not good enough, they are an all-rounder: They are beautifully green year-round.

God uses the olive tree and its fruit in many ways throughout the Bible. Today, I would like to highlight its resilience and endurance. Olive trees can withstand the scorching winds of the desert. To harvest the fruit, the trees are shaken vigorously. The fruit, in turn, needs to be brined for consumption or crushed to produce oil.

Can you stand proud and steadfast like the olive tree? Showing signs of life after floods threatened to consume you, after being shaken to harvest fruit, being crushed to produce good fruit.

Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching us about the endurance and resilience of this great tree. Though not a giant amongst trees, but a giant in faith. Where we are grafted into Your garden Lord, help us to grow in Your glory. Amen.

Love, Pastor Iriza