Roots

“He will be like a tree planted by water; it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8 CSB

We are in the process of re-doing our front yard. The lawn was dying and had weeds throughout. After we (my husband) dug up the old lawn to prepare to use the rototiller, we found it would only be possible once all of the surface roots from nearby redwood trees were removed. The massive root system of these gigantic trees is incredible. They’ve covered the whole area, wrapping around the sprinkler pipes, and had choked out the lawn from receiving water. These trees are always green. Their roots go deep as well as wide.

The above Scripture from Jeremiah has come up a few times recently in devotionals and teachings. I believe this is not a coincidence. God speaks through our daily tasks and encounters.

How are my roots doing? Am I staying close to the streams of living water in all ways, allowing it to grow deep, nurture, and correct me?

My deepest desire is to stay very close to the Lord, worshiping, reading with joy His Word, and doing His Word in kindness and discipline throughout my days. Yet, I can be easily distracted and dry up. I need to stay in the stream of His living Word daily, allowing it to penetrate the deepest areas of my heart.

Psalms 1:2-3 (CSB) adds, “Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams….” This person enjoys the instruction, taking it all in and thinking about it constantly. This person is filled with joy!

When we live in this place, I believe the Holy Spirit fills us, and our subconscious mind is constantly in tune with the Lord. I love it when worship songs are always going in my mind. I’m aware of His lead, and I can recognize when He says, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).

 Although we have our work cut out in our front yard in pulling up the surface roots, those trees will remain strong because their roots are deep. Let’s commit to being deep-rooted people for the Lord, being diligent in reading His Word, and praying that we grow like those strong redwood trees that are always green. When our surface roots get pulled up by life’s trials and storms, we will remain strong in the confidence of the Lord.

Dear Lord, thank You for things in nature and in our daily tasks that give us examples of things in Your Word and the truth that we learn. Thank You for calling us to Yourself to spend time and be nurtured in the streams of Your living, loving Word as You make our joy full. In Jesus’ Name.