PLANTED IN HIS LOVE
“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 17:7-8 (NLT)
This passage illustrates a tree that has found a source of life that isn’t dependent on changing weather patterns. Instead, the source of its life is a river that allows its roots to grow deep, sustaining them through hardships and trials.
God’s love is that river for us. It provides nutrition, wisdom and strength to withstand whatever drought, storm and uncertainty we face. Our faith grows and flourishes like that tree when we grow our hearts deep into His love.
But often, many things distract us from allowing God into our inner lives. It can be pain, busyness or just not feeling like we have the knowledge or skillset to hear His voice correctly. But I encourage you to lean in and fail toward God. What’s five minutes of quiet time trying to hear and receive God’s love for you if, for that day, it comes back blank? Essentially, the cost is nothing, but the benefits can be life-changing. We want to be people whose gut instinct is to go to God with our struggles and find peace with Him.
APPLICATION: Are your roots growing deeper into God’s love, or do you find yourself adversely affected in a way that’s more than the situation requires? Spend time today meditating on a promise from God about His love for you. Remind yourself that your strength comes from His opinion of you.
PRAYER: Father, help me sink my roots deeply into Your love. When life brings challenges, let me remain strong in the confidence that You sustain me. Teach me to trust in You completely, knowing that Your love never fails. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?