Deep Roots

Jeremiah 17:8 "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." NLT   

Here in Texas we are experiencing the worst drought on record.  We have had only a few days of rain in the last 8 months.  Rivers and lakes are drying up, drained by the large cities around them who need the water.  We gave up  on our lawn weeks ago, leaving a desert wasteland in the front of our house. We are seeing many more wild creatures in our yard as they come searching for the life giving water that is in our fish pond and bird bath.

Many of the trees in our area are dying, leaving acres of fuel for the wildfires that have torched our landscape.  The acrid smell of smoke stings your nose as you drive through many of the burned areas.  It is heartbreaking to see the tremendous loss of homes and structures.  It only takes a single spark to start a fire that wipes out an entire lifetime of material possessions. Often people only have minutes to figure out what is the most important thing they own as they flee the flames. 

All of this devastation was a harsh reminder of how quickly life can change.  We think we have it all together and in an instant it all comes apart.  When our life is shallow and full of material things, we are only one moment away from complete loss.  Yet, if we have planted our lives on the banks of the the river of life (Revelation 22:1 "Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb")  our roots will be deep enough to hold us firm in the things that are important.

If our roots are deep in His word, we will never experience a complete loss of everything.  No matter the droughts we find ourselves in or the fires that take away all we own, God will never let us be separated from Him.  We will always be green and full of His fruit, ready to take on whatever this world covers us with.  We also will have plenty of strength to help those around us, drawing from the river to bring His life giving water to those in need. 


I pray for those whose lives were effected by all in these fires.  May God cover them with His grace and mercy.  May those of us who have much share with those who have lost everything.  Dearest Father God, please let us never forget where to plant ourselves.  We love you and we ask your blessings on our state and it's people.  In the name of Your most awesome Son, Christ Jesus, Amen