Deep-Rooted Trees

The

Word of God

is a firm foundation.

       What do you do when you’ve received wise advice twice, even thrice? Dismiss? Consider? Or heed and follow? Whenever I’ve heard or read something twofold in a short amount of time, I take notice.

          Quiet time in the wee hours of each morning resets my footing on a firm foundation, the Word of God. I find strength and encouragement to aid in facing the day, come what may. Using a daily devotional, I meditate on the words of Scripture and pray. What joy I experienced the morning God spoke two times to my heart from His word.

          The recommended reading for that day—Psalm 1:1-3. 

Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do. (NLT)

          The daily devotion was entitled “How to Succeed” by Dr. David Jeremiah. Who doesn’t desire accomplishment in their endeavors? The worldly way to success can be found in many self-help books that deliver details for achievement. The Bible also records methods of profit in the promises of God, but it comes with a caveat. Meditating on and living by God’s principles will produce many excellent benefits; godly success only comes when we submit our wills to God’s will and follow His instructions. It may not be achievement by the world’s standards, but it will bring victory to our souls. 

          I weighed the advice of the devotional writer while also concentrating on the worth of God’s words from the first Psalm. When I started to close my Bible, I noticed a highlighted section in the book of Jeremiah.

This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
    who rely on human strength
    and turn their hearts away from the Lord.

They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
    with no hope for the future.

They will live in the barren wilderness,
    in an uninhabited salty land.

“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 never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NLT)

Trust in the LORD

and be blessed.

        God had reinforced the lesson using a different book of the Bible. As I meditated on everything I had read, I began asking myself some questions. Do I want to be like a stunted shrub or a deep-rooted tree? Will I choose to turn away from the Lord or put my trust in Him? Will I walk in the ways of the wicked or delight in the word of God? Do I desire success the world’s way or God’s way?

          Later that day I walked around my neighborhood, taking note of both natural and manmade environments. There are places to rest and places to play, all surrounded by many trees, small and large. Down an incline runs a small brook. Neither the hill nor the water upends any of the large trees. They are deeply rooted, having withstood their natural surroundings. I’ve only seen the effects of one tall tree that fell.

          Deep-rooted trees denote the importance of standing firm on the word of God, not being swayed by the whims of society. Yet cultural norms and societal gauges exert much pressure on righteous living. Getting caught up in the ways of the world can cause sin and sorrow. But open the Scriptures and discover another nugget of truth about growing deep roots—Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

          In light of the degenerate world we live in, where morals and morale seem to be declining every single day, I choose to listen to the wisdom of the Lord. Yes, I’ve made mistakes and suffered the consequences. God tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). But He offers us a chance to humbly repent of our sins and trust in the saving grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. When we accept His offer and meditate on His Word daily, even bad circumstances won’t hinder our godly success. 

          I choose to stand, deeply rooted, on the word of God. What about you? Will you heed God’s advice and follow Him, regardless of the way the world goes? If so, like a deep-rooted tree, you will stand firm, bear fruit, and successfully weather the storms of the day.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
”

— 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

A New Thing

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

I'm stuck in the past and downcast. The trials of today draw my mind to former days when life seemed easier. Are you dwelling on times gone by instead of focusing on the present, the now? 

The year 2020 is about to be a memory, an impactful memory. It’s left devastation in its wake while replenishing each day with more uncertainty, fear, and hopelessness. Most of us long for the good ole days. Or we at least yearn for a change as we seek a better future. But what about today? What about now? What are we doing to make the most of our present? 

This year has sped by, but the days have dragged on. Trepidation, apprehension, and isolation have almost been established into our everyday routines. With many churches shut down, it appears hope is lost. The past materializes mentally as a divine dream while the present petrifies our day-to-day existence. The comfortable order of things has changed. Powerful people continually remind us to adjust to a new normal. We submit to fear and surrender to masks and quarantine. Anxiety blooms, worry flourishes, grumbling bears fruit, rotten fruit, and the will to thrive dies. The sight of our situation shakes our faith in an Almighty God. 

God’s chosen ones, the Israelites, also failed to recall the power of their Savior God. They had been enslaved in Egypt for over four hundred years. When the time was right, God delivered them from the injustices they had endured. He used Moses to lead His people out of slavery. God sent disease and death to cause the Egyptians to let His people go. As the Israelites fled Egypt, God parted the waters of the Red Sea, forming dry land for His people to cross over into safety. Those same waters swept away the enemies who had enslaved them. God’s people had witnessed a mighty miracle. It was then that they praised and worshipped their Savior God. 

Yet only three days later in the desert without water, they began to grumble against Moses and before God. “What are we to drink?” they whined. Oh how soon they forgot.

God performed another miracle through Moses as he threw a piece of wood into the water, turning it sweet. Imagine being a spectator of such supernatural phenomena. Wouldn’t your faith increase substantially? 

Because of God’s love for His people, He made a decree for them. He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.” 
Exodus 15:26

God then added grace to His command. He provided springs of water surrounded by shade where His people could camp and rest for a while. What a faithful God.

But after traveling in the desert for a month, the Israelites began complaining again against Moses and before God. They said, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread until we were full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this entire assembly with hunger!”  Exodus 16:3

Were the Israelites stuck in the past, clinging to their slavery? Even though they had been removed from their brutal slave masters, they looked back to what seemed like a good thing. The comfort of routine, no matter how harsh, had become customary. But was it good? Were they allowing the wilderness in which they now walked cause them to forget the freedom they had gained by the hand of a Savior God?

“How quickly we forget God’s great deliverances in our lives.
How easily we take for granted the miracles He performed in our past.
~David Wilkerson”

We are no different than the Israelites walking in the desert. The stark reality of this pandemic called Covid has exposed, revealed, and uncovered abundant omissions about ourselves, our institutions, even the church. We believers have failed to heed the decree of our Lord, disregarding His spoken Word. Instead of standing up for God’s absolute truth, we’ve surrendered to the ever-changing morals and values of this land. Manmade religious traditions have enslaved us. Christianity in America has become casual, where only a crisis causes us to turn back to God. We’ve allowed the church to become a cruise ship instead of a battle ship. Our Heavenly Father never intended for us to have an apathetic relationship with Him. 

When God rescued the Israelites, He wanted them to rely solely on Him, to trust Him for daily protection and provision. He wants the same for us. Family and friends will disappoint us. The things of this earth will disappear. Religious and governmental leaders will let us down. But God never disappoints, disappears, or lets us down. He won’t fail us. He never changes. He, Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We can surely trust Him. 

Could it be possible that God has allowed disease and violence to restore in us a powerful prayer life? Deep faith in a trustworthy God will cause us to rely on His daily provision instead of looking back to what seemed comfortable. Why grumble about the presence of Covid, masks, lockdowns, and change. Instead choose to allow God to move us forward as He does a new thing.

Each day is a new day, another chance to begin again. God says to forget the former things, remember Him, and focus on the new thing He is doing right now. His mercies are new every morning. 
Isaiah 43:18-19, Lamentations 3:22-23

Do we have confidence in the power of Almighty God? Will we hear and follow His Word? Turn away from the deficiency of earthly things. Hope in the One who loved us enough to offer salvation in His Name, the Name of Jesus. Watch and wait expectantly for His new thing!

“God is not running an antique shop!
He is making all things new!
~Vance Havner”

“Trust the past to God’s mercy,
the present to God’s love,
and the future to God’s providence.
~St. Augustine”

Do We Have to Die to Find Rest?

’Rest in peace’ placards dot roadsides where fatal accidents have occurred. Tombstones inscribed with those same words mark final resting places. Is rest only found in death? Can we rest in peace in the land of the living? 

Two months ago, I flew to California to visit my daughter, son-in-law, and their newborn, my grandson. Plans to stay a little while extended to five weeks. During that length of time, I observed my grandson’s growth. As his little body developed, he began to suffer from intestinal problems. 

Through no fault of his own, the poor baby squirmed, pushed, kicked, and cried. His discomfort displayed itself through restlessness. Eventually gas build-up in his body expelled itself in several ways. When released, he settled down to rest. And when he rested, his mother, father, and I enjoyed a quiet interval.

Watching my grandson’s restless kicking and crying conjured up images of an agitated society. I didn’t need to use much imagination as violent visions of chaos were splattered all over social media. The social distancing way of life due to the Covid virus had already instilled fear in folks. Worry had begun to plague the minds of persons separated from their nearest and dearest.

Like a virus, discontent has now spread through all walks of life. For months, alarm and anxiety has hovered over earth’s population. Between the unease of encountering a disease to the unrest of rebellion in city streets, humanity wreaks of weariness.

“I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, only turmoil.” 
Job 3:26

In some form or fashion, these words have most likely been proclaimed all over the world during the past several months. They were actually spoken by a Hebrew patriarch named Job to his three friends who tried to comfort him after disaster struck his household.

Scripture describes Job as the greatest man to live in a land located east of the Jordan River called Uz. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants. He had seven sons and three daughters. In one day, he lost it all, including his health. How did he survive such devastation? 

He suffered in stages, one day at a time. He reported his hardship as a continual churning inside his body, causing him daily to wake in agony. Most of us experiencing loss of any kind could understand his torment. And like anyone attempting to find answers, he eventually blamed both God and man. He wrestled with his past life, a life full of God’s blessings in which he had shared with others. He asserted his goodness. He detailed his thoughts through discourse after discourse of his former happiness, his loss of everything, and his innocence. Until God spoke.

“Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”   Job 38:3

The wise and all-powerful Creator God asked Job where he was when the earth’s foundation was laid. He questioned Job about the workings of the entire universe. He interrogated him over the behaviors of animals and birds. God’s cross-examination broadened Job’s mind to everything in existence upon the earth. He lead Job to be conscious of more than his own life. Then the Lord said, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”   Job 40:1-2

Imagine the humility Job must have felt. He immediately expressed his unworthiness before God saying, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”   Job 40:4-5

Have we spewed too many complaints lately in the midst of a pandemic and massive violence? Are we continually asking God why? Do we talk more than listen? Maybe we need to sit still in quietness before an Almighty God. Possibly we need to ingest some humble pie. 

God is God and we are not. Who are we to assume His role in our lives or to even extract Him from our lives? Why do we blame Him for life’s adversities? Could it be He is ready to say to us, “Brace yourself like a woman, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”

Maybe God has given us over to the worldly things we desire. Possibly He wants us to be distressed enough to turn back to Him. He has plans to prosper us, not harm us, if we seek Him with our whole heart.* He desires for us to learn from Him and experience His rest when burdens plague us.* Will we listen to Him and obey His words? Or will we continue our self-absorption? 

Job met the One True God and humbly repented of his unworthiness. He gained spiritual understanding and a deeper faith as he walked a road of suffering. In due course his restless angst found peaceful rest in a God who loved him. 

Over the last several months, restlessness has settled in around us. We’re fatigued from the world’s troubles. Have we turned away from God or run to God? Are we listening for His answers or doing all the talking?

Be still and get to know God.* Listen to Him and learn of His wisdom. When you trust Him with your burdens and concerns, He will give you peace. No matter your circumstances, you will find rest for your souls. 

*For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

*“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)

*He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. 
Jeremiah 31:25 ”

When Clouds Gather, Eradicate Fear

“When we fear because our treasures have been stripped away, choose to treasure Jesus anyway.
~based on Matthew 6:19-34”

“Therefore, you should pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Your name be honored as holy.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.]  Matthew 6:9-13 (HCSB)

Several months have passed since a pandemic swept across our world. Has the disease been destroyed? Facts tell us no. Has fear been eradicated? Facts seem to say no. But hopefully you’ve had time to mull over your own worries and fears. Reading Jesus’ words from the sixth chapter of Matthew was a cure for my anxieties. It helped to calm my distress as I put it into practice. I pray my experience will encourage you as we continue together into the near future with uncertainty. 

Anxious emotions have materialized out of the social distancing directive. I can’t sleep. We’ve lost a lot of money in the stock market. Do we have enough food and supplies? What if I catch the virus? I sure hope no one in my family gets sick and dies. God, I am so afraid. 

My daughter immediately fretted over the delivery of her baby. My sister stressed about her job and began applying for another one. My nephews lost their jobs. My husband and his co-workers received pay cuts. Businesses shut down. Schools and universities shut down and resumed online. While grocery stores remained open, employees and customers exhibited apprehension. Quarantine changed our lives.

The initial fright of this pandemic caught everyone off guard. Panic seemed to escalate, as shock dissipated. Fear of the unknown now seems to multiply daily. Worry continues to prevent sleep. We are simply undone. 

And God says, “Do not fear. Don’t worry.”  

Is anyone listening? We’re trying desperately to fix our problems, find a cure, figure out a plan to survive instead of first following the instructions of God. We seem to have forgotten that He is God and we are not.

Through the years, people have been busily trying to achieve and receive more stuff all the while complaining of little time to accomplish everything. Priorities have become skewed. Modern norms have eclipsed the traditional family. Desire for possessions have exceeded desire for the One who supplies them. Churches have cruised into assimilation with culture instead of battling to stand firm on God’s truth. 

All of a sudden we have time. We have been forced to stop, to social distance, to stay inside, to settle into a new way of life for a while. And it’s tough. Many things of our lives have been stripped away while the beauty of nature has been brought to light. 

Daybreaks and twilights display designs of exquisite grandeur. Have you noticed them? Birds express melodious praises with warbles and trills day after day. Have you heard them? Spring has arrived and bounteous blooms of vivid splendor reveal new life. Have you seen them? Even though our human situation has drastically changed, nature presses on. All because Someone greater is in charge.

So Lord, give us this day our daily bread. Reciting this statement within the Lord’s Prayer may have become rote. Believing its truth requires trust. It’s evident from the sounds of chirping that God daily feeds the birds. Have you noticed their praise choruses rising up before dawn? Do we trust God for daily sustenance like the birds? Do we trust Him in the dark? 

And Jesus says, “You are worth more than the birds.”  

If God takes such good care of the birds, won’t He do the same for us? We are remarkably made, knit together since conception (Psalm 139). And throughout our lives, He offers provision. His Word assures us of His promises. So why worry? God knows what we need. 

God desires for us to seek first His righteousness and trust Him for our needs. If we worry about tomorrow instead of simply trusting for today, we create anxiety for ourselves. Daily troubles abound. Why add more to the day?

But do as I say, not as I do because honestly, I’m worried. My pregnant daughter lives in Southern California with her firefighter/paramedic husband. They are due to have their first baby in a few days. The “what ifs” keep welling up inside of us all. This virus has hindered my plans to meet my new grandson and help out my daughter as a new mother. I am mad. I am sad. I am fearful. 

And the Holy Spirit says to me, “Debbie, I offer perfect peace. Will you trust Me?”

As Jesus carried our sins to the cross, He also carried our worries. He put an end to fear. He destroyed those things that try to destroy us. He even defeated death. If He is so powerful and mighty over harmful things, why do we choose them over Him?

Are you afraid of this pandemic? Has it created worry about your future? Maybe you’ve lost treasures—a job, a home, money, or even a loved one. Most likely all of your plans have changed. What is your response? Are you worrying about this worldly situation or are you trusting and treasuring the One who controls it all? 

When worry begins to creep up within our souls, remember Jesus who gave His life to save us from all that the enemy sends to destroy us. Be still. Have faith. Trust in the power of an Almighty God. Know He is in complete control. 

“Whenever I feel my foot slipping, your faithful love steadies me, Lord. When my anxieties multiply, your comforting calms me down.
Psalm 94:18-19”

BE STILL AND KNOW

“God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. “Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!” 
Psalm 46:1, 10 (TLB)”

Clouds hung heavy above me as I walked my dogs down the street. Gray skies depicted my mood. I felt bombarded by life’s twists and turns. “Enough already, Lord,” I cried out as I prayed. 

My prayer became one-sided as I poured out my needs. Unexpectedly I felt a tug on my arm from the dog leash in my hand. I had gotten ahead of my dogs. I turned around and noticed my old golden retriever sniffing some daisies. “Let’s go, come on, I’m in a hurry,” I said rather loudly.

I remembered an old cliche as he inhaled fragrances—stop and smell the roses. “God, you sure have a way of getting my attention,” I said. 

I stared in silence as my pet savored the scents in the air. God’s Word filled my heart and head.

BE STILL AND KNOW……THAT I AM GOD. 

“Okay, I hear you, Lord.”

I continued my walk in silence. My needs forgotten. The beauty of the earth all around me. Praises to my Creator filled my thoughts.

Thank you, Father God, for your eternal Word that stands firm in the heaven (Psalm 119:89). Your Word is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). Your promises are pure (Psalm 12:6) and your Word is truth (John 17:17). You are Truth, Jesus (John 14:6), and the truth will set me free (John 8:32). Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, AMEN. 

So what if life throws jabs? Am I going to tuck tail and run? Or stand firm and fight? Everything is not rosy all the time. There will be cloudy days, but the sun remains in the sky. I may experience troubles, but the Son of God stays by my side. Sorrow and joy are part of living and loving. Will I allow pain and pessimism to ruin my day, ruin me?

No. No! NO! If God stands with us, who or what can come against us?

What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?  Romans 8:31-32 (TLB)

Yes, things happen. The busyness of life distracts us. Peace fades. Things turn from gray to black, and quickly. Chaos begins to take hold. Clouded minds give rise to pain-filled hearts. Tears flow. Life seems unfair. And we wonder—where is God?

We should remember Who He is. He’s our Rescuer. Deliverer. Savior. Redeemer. Provider. Those clouds are the dust of His feet (Nahum 1:3). He is Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14). And He never leaves us (Hebrews 13:5). Is it possible we left Him?

Stop. Be still. Focus on the God of heaven and earth. Listen for His whisper. Lift up a prayer of praise to Him. Before too long, you’ll see Son rays beaming through those cloudy skies. 

“The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is the place to go! And he knows everyone who trusts in him! 
Nahum 1:7 (TLB)”