Rootless or Fruitful-Our Choice
He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when the heat comes, for its leaves remain green. (Jeremiah 17:8)
Jer. 17:5-18; Josh. 24:24-25; II Chr. 7:14; Ps 1; I Jn. 1:5-10
What Is God Saying?
Sin is real and has consequences. In Judah's case, to underscore the indelible nature of sin, Jeremiah uses language that is very much to the point, ‘It is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart’ (Jer. 17:1). Jeremiah is just as graphic in detailing the consequences of sin. In verses 5-8, he speaks about the contrast between a man who trusts in man, and a man who trusts God. One is cursed because he turns away from the Lord (17:5). The other is blessed because he trusts in the Lord (17:6). One is like a ‘bush in the desert,’ a tumbleweed tossed by winds, v0id of roots. The other is like a tree planted by water with its roots reaching out and finding real nourishment
This is God's desire, that none should perish (II Peter 3:9). Time and again He warns His people that sin is real and has consequences. Time and again He calls his people to repentance (II Chr. 7:14). The contrasting pictures of those who are cursed and those who are blessed is God's way of helping us to escape the worst and choose the best. The stern and straightforward language of these verses is evidence of God's patience and yearning love.
How Does This Apply To Us?
We are free to choose any road we want, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choice. Certainly, the great lesson to be drawn from verses 5-8 is that there is a way to live and a way to die. We all can make the choice. ‘Choose to live for self-it will lead to captivity. Choose to live for others-you will find freedom. Choose to live for Satan-you will dance to his tune and at the end of his string. Choose to live for Christ-you will stand tall, walk free, live with Joy and abound in hope. The choice is never beyond our control. The consequences are always beyond our control. The choice is ours and so are the consequences. The one you make-the other you take!’ (from Pebbles of Truth, Pg. 24, William S. Stoddard, Pub. 1974, David C. Cook).
Pray With Me
Heavenly Father, I live in a world that is at enmity with You. It is a world that has grown careless toward truth. It is determined to go its own way. By choice, it is cut off from the replenishing grace of Your presence. It has defied the holiness of the life You have commanded and refused the wholeness of the life that You give. Its roots go far in search of novelty and excitement but not deep in search of nourishment. I live in that kind of world. I cannot escape its searing heat and its creeping blight.
However, I have a secret. The leaves on my life tree will remain green. I will not fear when the heat comes because I am drawing my strength from Your nourishing grace. I send down my roots. My thoughts, my ambitions, my longings, and my hopes go to the stream of Your infinite goodness. I draw to my being the love that never fails and the peace that the world can neither give nor take from me. The stream from which I draw this secret strength will never fail. I am persuaded that nothing can separate me from that life-giving stream, the love of God in Christ Jesus. Nothing can ever cut off that supply.
In moments of carelessness and doubt, I may separate myself from the stream of Your love and goodness. That is why I pray that You will keep me in touch with that stream, dear Lord. As nothing outside me can break the contact, so may nothing within me allow it to be broken. Then, in constant touch with Your inexhaustible life and love, my leaves will remain green. I will not fear when the heat comes, for I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me and whose love is everlasting.
In the name of Him in whom I would always abide that my joy might be full. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
In prayer, we are sending down roots to the stream of God's eternal truth and the refreshing grace of His living and loving presence. In prayer we are still and know that God is God, that right is right, that truth will finally and surely triumph, and that righteousness is the only road to peace.
