Deep Roots
Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord. . . . But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit. Jeremiah 17:5-8
Advertisement
What a stark contrast Jeremiah describes in these verses between those who trust in God and those who trust in human beings and have turned away from God. Instead of thriving and prospering, people who look to mere humans for help and rescue live unproductive, dry lives, like a stunted shrub languishing in the desert for lack of water.
But those whose hearts trust in God, those for whom the Lord is their hope and confidence, will be blessed. Like a tree planted by water, the heat and hard times don’t destroy them because their roots are sunk deep into God’s resources and life. Even in months of drought, even into old age, they will stay green and keep producing, not just any fruit—but delicious fruit. Though their bodies may decline in physical strength or grow more fragile with advancing age, yet God’s Spirit will renew their inner strength day by day. As they are rooted in Christ’s inexhaustible supply, they will continue to be productive and bring glory to God as long as they live.
Prayers:
LORD, I put my trust in you. You are my hope and my confidence. Let me never turn from you. As my roots go deep into you, thank you for your promise to bring forth fruit—delicious fruit—in my life and to make my soul prosperous even in the long, dry spells.
Quotes:
A MAN WITHOUT PRAYER IS LIKE A TREE WITHOUT ROOTS.
Pope Pius XII (1876–1958)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Jeremiah 16:16–18:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–5:3; Psalm 81:1-16 and Proverbs 25:6-8.
