Oaks of Righteousness

About a year ago, almost on this exact day, as I was staying in one of my favorite places on earth, this poem came to life. In the stillness of a surrendered posture, quietly awed by God’s majesty, I was reminded of a vision He had given me back in December 2021.

It’s no surprise He would remind me of it, not only because of the purpose of my trip, but also because there was a beautiful parallel to draw.

In that home, with those two beautiful souls, I realized their presence was just like sitting beneath a great oak: safe, anchored, full of life-giving and protective shade. That space stirred something deep in me. A reminder of who I was called to be. Who we are all called to be.

So, what about the vision?

It was one of grandeur, filled with hope and beauty. I saw a sprig being built up to become an oak, its roots spreading throughout the world, into all communities, reaching every human being. This sprig held the potential to become a pillar of faith, giving glory and praise to the One who nourished and watered it to full bloom. An oak of righteousness, with roots embedded in living water, ready to give life and radiate light and splendor.

This oak stood firm and mighty, rooted and strong. It provided shelter, shade, beauty, awe and a resting place. It was God’s glory extended into all of Creation… For His purpose and pleasure, to bless His sheep with a pasture for His flock. It was clear: the one would find the oak tree.

This vision filled me with amazement. So many parallels… First to Jesus, then to us.

Isaiah 11:10 “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples — of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.”

Isaiah 61:3 “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

The oak tree represents more than just strength and endurance; it’s a safe place, a witness to generations of faith, and a reminder that our efforts, when rooted in Him, bear fruit beyond what we see, with an impact and influence we cannot even begin to grasp or expect.

People standing like oaks of righteousness, deeply rooted, firmly planted, reflecting His glory… What a sight to see. And just like an oak takes years to grow strong and tall, so does our spiritual formation. But the beauty? Once established, it endures. It provides shelter, carries stories, and multiplies through seeds it didn’t even know it dropped.

These words are more than a poem, they are a glimpse of the legacy we’re invited to live—a legacy rooted not in performance, but in presence. Not in striving, but in surrender. We live in a world obsessed with hustle, where value is often tied to output. But our legacy isn’t built on noise or notoriety, but on quiet seeds of trust planted daily.

My hope is that as you read it, you’ll sense the invitation to pause. To breathe. To remember who you are… and whose you are.

May we become a people who sow with eternity in mind—redeemed sheep, resting beneath the oak tree.

Let us be Oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

The Oak of Righteousness

Beneath the oak tree, forever grateful we stay,

Listening for whispers, humbly we sway.

Each rustle of leaves, each gentle breeze,

Brings freedom we find in your decrees. 

Seeking your presence, no resistance we feel,

Kneeling in reverence, our hearts heal.

Reliable pages, faithful rock of ages,

Rejoicing in grace, we cherish your face.

Letting go of futile attempts, in you we find rest,

The victory is yours, our forever cure.

Swords are laid down in the house of the Lord,

For the battle is won by the One we adore. 

Through the generations, your reign remains,

Your kingship, the muse of our worship.

We display your glory, our lasting legacy,

We gaze at the aim, the world knows your name.

Long after we’re gone, the oak tree stands,

Bearing the stripes, enduring our pains.

Beyond our sight, your perfect ways persist.

Creation you sustain, fruits from every twist.

Seeds planted today, like a harvest we pray,

An heritance for descendants, a resting place.

Filling up the plains, it’s quite a vision we see,

Redeemed sheep, resting beneath the oak tree.