Two-minute read.
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Permanent dependence on God leads to fruitful living. In other words, no matter our circumstances, we must lean into the Lord, relying on Him to help us persevere. When people depend on others, they find themselves stunted, not growing, and easily toppled over when the storm winds blow. But planting our roots in the Creator will give us everything we need to survive the heat, stand firm in the hurricane, and remain well watered in the drought.
We went camping to celebrate our twelfth wedding anniversary. Hurricane Debby graced us with her presence, so we had to find someplace outside her long reach. We discovered a campground on the outer edges of her bands, enduring wind and rain but not the main effects of her storm. Camping beside a large oak tree, I feared the winds might topple it onto our camper.
When I voiced my concerns, Ron said, “That tree’s survived stronger winds than these; it has deep roots.”
Because of the deep roots, the tree barely swayed. A few small limbs and leaves fell to the ground, but other than that, the storm didn’t affect it all. In the same way, choosing Jesus as our firm foundation gives us deep roots, helping us stand no matter how strong the winds. Our hair may get ruffled, and we might sway, but we won’t fall. Staying planted on the Rock gives us everything we need to persevere through the toughest of life’s tests.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us a firm foundation on which to plant our roots and grow strong. When the storm winds blow, give us Your peace that surpasses all understanding, knowing that we have all we need in You.
IJNIP. Amen
